importance-of-environment
The critical role of the sun in the spectacle and experience of bullfighting, metaphorically described as the best bullfighter.
1 chapter across 1 book
Death in the Afternoon (1920)Ernest Hemingway
The chapter examines the complex emotional and cultural dimensions of bullfighting, focusing on the author's initial reactions, the paradoxical role of horses as comic figures within a tragic ritual, and the evolving appreciation of the art form akin to the maturation of a wine palate. Hemingway explores the psychological divide between those who empathize with animals and those who identify with humans, the moral ambiguity surrounding bullfighting, and the importance of honesty, bravery, and environmental factors like the sun in creating an authentic and artistically valuable spectacle. The chapter ultimately situates bullfighting as a deeply rooted Spanish tradition that demands open-mindedness and experience for true understanding and appreciation.