" I mistrust all frank and simple people, especially when their stories hold together... but I finally had somebody verify the story from Spider Kelley. Spider Kelley not only remembered Cohn. He had often wondered what had become of him."(4)
This intriguing paragraph at the beginning of The Sun Also Rises tells us not only a great deal about Robert Cohn, but also about the enigmatic narrator, Jake. Insights into Jake's character unfold slowly throughout the book, but these few lines explain so much-- why he is in love with Brett (whose unabashed lack of faithfulness or loyalty were in itself a source of relief for Jake, who knew he could never really be hurt by her), and his eventual hatred of Robert. It also accounts for the group of people he associates with, most of whom seem to have only a vague notion of what conscience or moral scruples entail. Abusive, vulgar, and frequently "tight", these people are certainly not likable. Using Robert as a scapegoat for various grievances, they ultimately destroy him. Even Jake himself has a hard time justifying his friends' behavior to himself, but seems to prefer not to try (especially since he finds Robert annoying in any case.) On rereading this paragraph, I found it interesting that Jake should distrust "frank and simple people" when he himself fits that description so well. He is never embroiled in the vicious or petty bickering that takes place among his companions, and is often used as the "neutral middleman", despite the passions he keeps hidden-- hate, love, anger and sadness.