Preview
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell this chapter in sequence: the drive through the Basque country into Spain, the arrival at the Hotel Montoya in Pamplona, Cohn's nervousness and the bet over whether Brett and Mike will come, Jake's prayer in the cathedral, the telegram and Jake's confession of hatred, and the decision to leave Cohn behind and go fishing. Then name the central tension Hemingway develops here and judge how Jake's honesty about his own feelings shapes our trust in him.
Discussion Questions
- Jake pockets the telegram instead of handing it to Cohn, then later admits, 'I was blind, unforgivingly jealous of what had happened to him,' and, 'I certainly did hate him.' Consider what that combination of action and confession does to your trust in Jake as a narrator, and why his honesty here cuts both ways. Use the chapter's details to explain what his confession reveals and what it may still distort.
- In the cathedral Jake kneels and prays for everyone, then drifts to thoughts of money and the count, feels 'ashamed' to be 'such a rotten Catholic,' and wishes he 'felt religious.' Consider what this prayer scene reveals about Jake's relation to faith, and why Hemingway lets his prayer wander into distraction. Use the chapter's details to explain.
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Critical Thinking
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