The novel's innovative narrative style, sparse prose, and unflinching portrayal of post-war disillusionment revolutionized 20th-century literature. Hemingway's "iceberg theory" of writing, where much of the story's meaning lies beneath the surface, created a new standard for modernist fiction.

The bullfighting festivals in Pamplona serve as both a literal backdrop and a metaphor for the characters' struggles with masculinity, honor, and authenticity. The traditional Spanish culture contrasts sharply with the expatriates' modern sensibilities, highlighting their search for meaning.

Jake's physical wound from the war serves as a powerful symbol of the generation's psychological trauma. His inability to consummate his love for Brett represents the broader inability of the Lost Generation to fully connect or find satisfaction in their post-war world.