Alcoholism And Escapism In Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises is a depiction of the postwar hedonism and spiritual futility of the lost generation. By recording an episode of life of several American expatriates represented by Jake Barnes, Hemingway reveals the human condition in the wasteland emasculated by war and threatened by nada. This paper focuses on the expatriates'tendency of alcoholism and escapism, and aims to demonstrate the relationship between this tendency and their lostness. Alcoholism is the result of mental trauma, and addiction to liquor further intensifies the trauma, thus forming a hazardous circulation into which these expatriates are trapped. However, alcoholism is also a symbolic gesture of the lost generation to show their rebellion and contempt for their fathers. As victims of the prewar generation and breakers of the old value system, the veterans take a rebellious stance and challenge whatever is artificial, hypocritical and unsuitable for the new age."Code hero"is an important part of Hemingway's writing system, and drinking plays a crucial role in the self-identification of his heroes. The ability to control oneself in front of alcohol is a touchstone of one's inner integrity and discipline. The significance of alcoholism for the lost generation is multifold. As rebels of the tradition, they were also born in the old time, so the marks and wound from the old are too severe for them to bear. Therefore, escapism is an effective means of self-protection. Historically speaking, the escaping motif is deep in the American consciousness, but escapism of the lost generation has its unique significance.This paper makes an effort to explore the meaning of alcoholism and escapism. There are three chapters apart from the introduction and conclusion. The introduction discusses the creation of the novel The Sun Also Rises, as well as its theme and literary value. Chapter One introduces the historical background of alcoholism & escapism, the author's experience and his world outlook. Chapter Two discusses the multifold significance of alcoholism in four parts, each part analyzing one aspect. Chapter Three explores the connotations of escapism in the novel with a detailed analysis of three characters in the novel. The last part is the conclusion of this paper.