Authors sometimes use a certain event in the plot of a novel to symbolize the characters? actions and attitudes. Ernest Hemingway chooses to do this inThe Sun Also Rises? by using the first bull scene. By doing so, Hemingway portrays the personalities of his characters and their relationships with the other characters.
             In the beginning of the bull scene, two steers are put into the corral. These two steers symbolize Robert Cohn and Jake Barnes. The first steer represents Cohn. This steer is beat up by second bull, representing Mike's bullying conversation with Cohn after the bullfight. Also, after the steer gets up, it just stands there, removed from the group (including the other steer) as if not accepted. This is similar to Cohn's situation with his friends: he is not quite accepted by them and therefore becomes a loner. Also, after the bullfight, Cohn begins to claim thatIt's no life being a steer.? (145). This just supports the idea that Cohn is a steer. The second steer represents Jake. This steer is the one responsible for grouping all of the bulls together. Jake also does this by trying to make peace and bring together each of the friends. This connection allows the steer to portray Jake's mediating qualities. While in the café after the bullfight, Mike makes the commentWho has any breeding, anyway, except the bulls?? (146). This is a direct comment regarding Jake's impotency and the fact that steers have the same problem as him due to being castrated.
             Next to enter the corral is a bull. This bull represents Bill Gorton. The bull charges at the steers but is distracted and does not hit either of them. Like the bull, Bill does not like Cohn (the first steer) yet he refrains from directly insulting him. This bull is quickly picked up by the second steer and thus begins the herding of the bulls. This resembles the fact that Jake is the first to introduce Bill into the group.
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