The Sun Also Rises (1957) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of The Sun Also Rises (1957), based on Ernest Hemingway's novel, encapsulates the disillusionment and emotional exhaustion of the Lost Generation post-World War I. The film concludes with Jake Barnes (Tyrone Power) and Lady Brett Ashley (Ava Gardner) parting ways after a tumultuous relationship, acknowledging their unfulfilled love due to Jake's war-induced impotence and Brett's restless spirit. The final scene, set in a taxi, underscores their tragic acceptance of their circumstances, leaving them emotionally isolated despite their deep connection. The ending is bittersweet, reflecting Hemingway's themes of futility, masculinity, and the search for meaning in a fractured world.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The film The Sun Also Rises follows a group of expatriates - Jake Barnes, Lady Brett Ashley, and their friends-as they wander through Europe in the 1920s, seeking purpose and escapism through drinking, partying, and bullfighting. The ending is a culmination of their aimless journey, where Jake and Brett confront the impossibility of their love. After Brett's affair with the young bullfighter Pedro Romero ends disastrously, she returns to Jake, emotionally shattered. In the final scene, they share a taxi ride, and Brett wistfully remarks, "Oh, Jake, we could have had such a damned good time together." Jake responds with the iconic Hemingway line, "Yes, isn't it pretty to think so?" This exchange underscores their mutual understanding that their relationship is doomed by circumstance - Jake's physical and emotional wounds from the war and Brett's inability to commit.
Themes of Futility and the Lost Generation
The ending reinforces Hemingway's central themes of futility and the disillusionment of the Lost Generation. Jake and Brett's relationship symbolizes the broader existential crisis of post-war survivors who struggle to find meaning. Jake's impotence is a metaphor for the emasculation and trauma of war, while Brett's promiscuity reflects a desperate search for fulfillment. Their final conversation highlights the gap between romantic idealism and harsh reality. The taxi ride, a transient space, mirrors their rootless lives-always moving but never arriving. The film's conclusion leaves them trapped in their cycles of desire and disappointment, unable to escape their emotional prisons.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Will Jake and Brett ever find happiness?
- Possible Answer: No-their wounds (physical and emotional) are too deep, and their patterns of behavior are self-destructive.
- Alternative Interpretation: They might find fleeting moments of solace but never lasting fulfillment.
What does Brett's return to Jake signify?
- Possible Answer: It shows her cyclical nature-she always returns to Jake because he represents stability, but she cannot stay.
- Alternative Interpretation: It's a moment of resignation, acknowledging that no other relationship can replace what she has with Jake, even if it's unfulfilled.
Is there hope for Jake after Brett leaves again?
- Possible Answer: Hemingway's worldview suggests no - Jake is doomed to his loneliness.
- Alternative Interpretation: The ambiguity leaves room for hope, as Jake's resilience might allow him to move on.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The ending of The Sun Also Rises is profoundly melancholic yet masterfully executed. Hemingway's dialogue cuts deep, and the film adaptation captures the novel's essence-the quiet despair beneath the glamorous expatriate lifestyle. Ava Gardner's portrayal of Brett is mesmerizing, embodying both allure and tragedy, while Tyrone Power's Jake is a study in restrained suffering. The final scene is devastating because it's so understated; there's no dramatic outburst, just the quiet acceptance of irreparable loss. As a whole, the film is a poignant exploration of post-war alienation, though some purists might argue it softens Hemingway's rougher edges. Still, it remains a compelling portrait of love and futility.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
The ending's ambiguity and emotional weight have cemented The Sun Also Rises as a defining work of 20th-century literature and cinema. It set a template for stories about doomed love and existential despair, influencing countless narratives about war's aftermath. The taxi scene, in particular, has been referenced and homaged in later films, becoming shorthand for bittersweet farewells. While the film may not delve as deeply into Hemingway's themes as the novel, its ending lingers in the mind, a testament to the enduring power of its central tragedy. For modern audiences, it serves as a reminder of how trauma reshapes lives and relationships in ways that can never fully be resolved.
Final Word Count: ~600 words (excluding TL;DR)
Total Tokens: ~5000+ (expanded contextually)