Book II
Chapters XV, XVI, XVII & XVIII
XV
One word is essential to the following phrase: “. . . the fiesta exploded. There is no other way to describe
it” (157). Which word is it, and what implication does it have on how we view the fiesta? Are there other
words you could put in the phrase . . . how would they change the meaning?
Key moment: “The things that happened could have only happened during a fiesta. Everything became
quite unreal finally and it seemed as though nothing could have any consequences. It seemed out of
place to think of consequences during the fiesta” (159).
Consider the following: religious implications of festival . . . irony? Brett as an “image to dance around”
Cohn refers to her as “Circe” (goddess who drugged her victims with magic potions)
First bull-fight . . . Romero “those green trousers” . . . Cohn’s reaction to the fight
Second bull-fight . . . Pick a few quotations about Romero’s work in the fight
XVI
Re-read the opening two paragraphs of this chapter. How does the description of the setting set the
mood for the chapter? Pick out a few key words.
Pedro Romero is seen a code hero by some . . . is there a quotation you can pick out from pages 177-179
that would support this belief?
Why do you think Montoya ignores Jake when he sees Romero with his group?
How does Mike, and then Brett, treat Cohn? Why?
Paraphrase Jake and Brett’s conversation on 186 – 188.
What has happened to Brett and Romero at the end of the chapter?
XVII
Why does Cohn call Jake a pimp?
Describe the interaction between Jake and Cohn, first in the bar and then at the hotel (192-4, 196-8).
The waiter keeps saying that the man (Vincente Girones) was gored/killed “just for fun.” How might this
be a metaphor for our group’s experiences?
After Pedro gives Brett the ear of the bull he killed, what does she do with it? What does this action say
about her feelings for Romero?
What is discovered about what Cohn did to Romero?
Do Romero’s actions during his altercation with Cohn support or violate Code Hero traits?
XVIII
As this chapter begins, what apparently has become of Cohn after his night of fighting?
Why do you suppose Romero’s “people” are all angry at Brett? Why does Brett feel “altogether
changed”? (210)
Why does Brett “stiffen” and need to leave when they are in church?
As he has done many times in the book, Jake describes a process in great detail. What is it? What is
Brett’s reaction to this process? What do you think of her reaction? Why might she suddenly be so
interested in events of such detail? (214-224)
Compare/contrast Romero and Belmonte.
What oxymoron does Bill use to describe the fiesta? Explain. (225)
Explain the last line of the chapter.