Exploring Personal and Ethnic Identity in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises

Abstract

Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises, a cornerstone of the Lost Generation literature, stands as one of his greatest works and a crucial example of his concise yet impactful writing style. The novel vividly portrays the disillusionment and anxiety experienced by the post-World War I generation, serving as a mirror to their collective identity crisis. This study delves into how World War 1 created disappointment and identity crises in Hemingway's novel, underlining the characters’ identity confusion that resonates with readers. The Sun Also Rises dissects the manner in which the actions, social relations, and broader cultural background of the post-war period shaped the identities of the characters. The novel grapples with the nature of ethnic identity and the challenges of self-discovery in a turbulent and capricious society.