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An Analysis of Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises Using the Collective Unconscious Theory
BAI Linhong
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DOI:10.17265/2159-5836/2026.08.002
Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
This essay draws upon Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious to analyze the characters, symbols, and cultural context within Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. Set against the backdrop of a post-war society in turmoil, the novel portrays the confusion and psychological trauma of its characters as manifestations of the collective unconscious. The protagonists, particularly Jake and his companions, exhibit the “shadow” archetype of the collective unconscious—representing the inner darkness that individuals are unable to confront under societal pressure—when faced with emotional and existential struggles that are beyond communication. Through their relationships with bullfighting, alcohol, travel, and love, Hemingway depicts their escapism and their search for self-identity. Furthermore, the symbol of “sunshine” in the novel can be interpreted as a manifestation of the “light” archetype within the collective unconscious, symbolizing the longing for renewal and self-reconstruction. This paper argues that The Sun Also Rises is not merely a portrayal of the lost generation but also an exploration of profound psychological conflicts and cultural crises, reflecting the post-war society’s resonance with and response to individual psychic trauma.
Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises, collective unconscious
Journal of Literature and Art Studies, August 2026, Vol. 16, No. 8, 645-651
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