XVII- Climax

I think the climax of the novel is when Cohn learns that Brett has gone off with the bullfighter and hits Jake. The entire novel to this point has been an escalating feeling of hatred towards Cohn by Jake. Jake is the only character in the story who actually is Cohn's firend and has a friend to lose if the hatred gets too far out of hand. I think the entire time before the fight Jake was hating and forgiving and hating and forgiving and Cohn did nothing to deserve Jake's friendship and the forgiveness. I find it ironic that Mike is the one who actually riles Cohn up, but Cohn goes for his only friend. It probably has to do with the fact that while Mike is Brett's fiance, no one will have the friendship and love with Brett that Jake does and Cohn is jealous of that. The climax was the breaking point where Cohn lost the only perosn who could stand to be around him since he sent Francis away. It is quite pitiful actually I think, and I think that is what it took to get Cohn to see the light. The falling action takes place quite rapidly three pages later when Cohn cries and begs Jake's forgiveness although I believe they will never be "friends" again.

This has nothing to do with the climax and it might be just a coincidence, but Cohn came from a wealthy banking family, and Mike is bankrupt and while Cohn has the money, Mike has Brett most of the time.