The Mythical Robert Jordan in For Whom the Bell Tolls
...Robert Jordan [is] a young questing hero” (170) and a “mythic warrior hero in a contemporary setting” (225). Jordan’s military attributes also helped make him a code hero. Jordan’s upbringing had a great deal to do with his attributes and ideals. Jordan grew up in Montana, raised by an army family. He learned many aspects of war from his grandfather, who was a great solider in the United States cavalry. Throughout Chapter 30, Jordan refers back to his grandfather and their conversations. Jordan wants to see his grandfather in battle (Hemingway 339). Also, Jordan wants his grandfather to see him patiently waiting for the offensive, knowing he is going to die (Hemingway 340). Michael Reynolds believes that “Jordan [brought] to the Spanish Civil War all the virtues his grandfather perfected in the war between the States and in the Indian wars that followed…” (qt. in Sanderson 33). Even though Jordan is described as a military strategist and a war hero, he is also very romantic. The character of Jordan can also be described as a romantic. Within hours of meeting Maria, a woman with Pablo’s guerrilla group, he is already in love (Hemingway 24). Soon after meeting Maria, they become very close, making love many times over the seventy hours Robert was with the guerrilla group. Jordan vividly describes his feelings for Maria and the time they spend together. Later in the novel, Jordan plans starting a life with Maria in Madrid, far away from the front lines of the civil war (Hemingway 228). As Jordan is dying he has his most romantic moment. While life is draining from his body, he tells Maria that as long as she is living they will be one together (Hemingway 463). Yet, through all Jordan’s masculinity and romanticism, Jordan has a different ideological side. Robert Jordan is not just the classic hero as he appears on the outside. According Brenner, Jordan “shows an emotional shallowness and lack of moral dilemma that he needs to rival the dimensions of Achilles, old Beowulf and Adam” (133). Jordan also lacks emotion. According to Reynolds, even during his “timeless fifth dimension of sexual ecstasy” he never loses sight of his purpose of blowing the bridge (qt. in Sanderson 34). Also, Jordan is unemotional and has become alienated from his past experiences (Rovit 104). When Jordan breaks his leg and is forced to be left behind, all he says is “war is bitchery” (Hemingway 465). When talking Anselmo, his guide, Jordan conveys some of his true emotions. Jordan talks about his feelings towards killing. Jordan says “I feel nothing against [killing] when necessary. When it is for the cause” (Hemingway 45). Though he has not feeling when killing he still hopes to get rid of the stains on his soul. Jordan repeatedly states through the novel that some day he hopes to write ...