Wednesday, July 7, 2010

10. Stereotype

As mentioned in the beginning of the novel, Robert Cohn is of the Jewish faith. In Chapter 10, Bill shows antisemitic attitudes towards Cohn. Bill was angry with him over the unwise bet he made, so when Cohn returned from his haircut on page 102, Bill mentioned to Jake, "Well, let him not get superior and Jewish." He stereotyped all Jews in a negative light because of Robert's actions and statements. These antisemitic feelings were becoming very common in Europe during this time.
Jake also began to let out some negative feelings in Chapter 10. He begins with the revelation of his feelings for Robert Cohn on page 105: "Why I felt the impulse to devil him I do not know. Of course I do know. I was blind, unforgivingly jealous of what had happened to him... I certainly did hate him..." Jake begins to inform the reader of personal feelings, something quite uncommon throughout previous chapters. He also began to reveal his feelings to Cohn himself by not letting him see the telegram from Brett and by sharing some feelings with Bill. He still maintains an indirect way of doing so however.

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