What is Robert Cohns role in The Sun Also Rises?
Cohn tries so hard to be included in this group of expatriates, to the point that his attempts at inclusion are pathetic. This type of behavior is not something that is looked upon by the others with much respect, especially by Jake. Along with his futile efforts to court the sex-starved Brett, his romantic perspectives on life, his inability to control his emotions, his excessive concern with his self-image, his need to travel for the purpose of escaping the reality unfolding around him, Cohn is no doubt the black sheep of this novel. He simply doesn’t fit in. The more he tries to fit in, the more he ends up alienating himself. You will also notice how all of the expatriates drink heavily mainly to forget about the war. Drinking, as portrayed in this novel, is a mind numbing experience. Notice though how Cohn drinks considerably less than the others. Why is this? What is it that Cohn is trying to forget? Or maybe he thinks and feels too much? Perhaps that’s his problem? Perhaps that’s
