Prompt 01
Essay task
In The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway depicts a generation of expatriates struggling to find their place in post–World War I Europe, marked by disillusionment, aimless drifting, and a profound sense of spiritual and emotional void. Write a coherent argumentative essay where you argue how Hemingway employs the notion of the "Lost Generation" — represented by Jake Barnes, Lady Brett Ashley, and their companions — to critique the collapse of traditional values and the quest for meaning in a post-war context.
Your essay should:
- Present a clear, defensible thesis that articulates a specific claim regarding Hemingway's thematic or stylistic intentions.
- Back up your argument with textual evidence, including detailed analysis of key scenes, dialogue, and Hemingway's distinctive iceberg-style prose.
- Explore how at least two of the following literary elements enhance your argument: characterization, setting (Paris and Pamplona), symbolism (the fiesta, the bullfight, the fishing trip), narrative voice, or irony.
- Engage with a counterargument or complicating perspective — for instance, whether any character truly finds authentic meaning or grace under pressure.
Suggested length
4–6 paragraphs (AP) or 800–1,200 words (IB/A-Level) Tip: Reflect on the novel's epigraphs — Gertrude Stein's "You are all a lost generation" and the passage from Ecclesiastes — as a lens to shape your argument.