# Bill Gorton — The Sun Also Rises character guide

> Bill Gorton in The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bill, Old Bill

**First appearance:** 0008-v

## Who they are

Jake's wisecracking American friend, arriving in Paris with a cable and a taste for fishing, drinking, and needling Cohn.

## Relationships

### [Mike Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/mike_campbell)

_friendship_

Bill and Mike share a boisterous, drinking-based camaraderie during the fiesta in Pamplona.

### [Robert Cohn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/robert_cohn)

_social_

Bill is cordial but dismissive toward Cohn, viewing him as an outsider among the group.

### [Jake Barnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/jake_barnes)

_friendship_

Bill is Jake's closest male friend, sharing a bond of humor, fishing trips, and mutual support.

### [Harris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/harris)

_friendship_

Bill and Harris share a brief, warm camaraderie during a fishing trip in the Spanish countryside.

### [Edna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/edna)

_social_

Bill briefly flirts with Edna during the fiesta, but the interaction is superficial and fleeting.

### [Robert Cohn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/robert_cohn)

_social_

Bill is cordial but dismissive toward Cohn, viewing him as an outsider among the group.

### [Mike Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/mike_campbell)

_friendship_

Bill and Mike share a boisterous, drinking-based camaraderie during the fiesta in Pamplona.

### [Mike Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/mike_campbell)

_friendship_

Bill and Mike share a boisterous, drinking-based camaraderie during the fiesta in Pamplona.

### [Jake Barnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/jake_barnes)

_friendship_

Bill is Jake's closest male friend, sharing a bond of humor, fishing trips, and mutual support.

### [Robert Cohn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/robert_cohn)

_social_

Bill is cordial but dismissive toward Cohn, viewing him as an outsider among the group.

### [Harris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/harris)

_friendship_

Bill and Harris share a brief, warm camaraderie during a fishing trip in the Spanish countryside.

### [Edna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/edna)

_social_

Bill briefly flirts with Edna during the fiesta, but the interaction is superficial and fleeting.

## In the story

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/book-ii)

Bill arrives in Paris and joins the group, bringing a new dynamic and participating in the discussions about the upcoming trip to Pamplona.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/viii)

Arrives in Paris after trips to Vienna and Budapest; recounts a wild prizefight and dines with Jake.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/ix)

Travels with Jake; jokes with American pilgrims and helps arrange the fishing trip.

### [Arrival in Pamplona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/x)

Angry with Cohn's superior attitude, makes a bet on Brett and Mike's arrival, and expresses frustration about Cohn's relationship with Brett.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xi)

Travels with Jake, plays the piano at the inn, and complains about the cold weather in Burguete.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xii)

Bill teases Jake about being an expatriate, jokes about impotence, and asks about Brett.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xiii)

Accompanies Jake; jokes with Harris and comments on the bulls and Mike's behavior.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xiv)

Sometimes accompanies Jake on walks or writes in his room. Jake notes that Bill is a 'good drunk.'

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xv)

Sits with Jake and Cohn; comments on the village idiot and joins the dancing circle.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xvi)

Drunk and joking; buys multiple shoeshines for Mike during dinner.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xvii)

Defends Mike against insults; recounts the morning's bull run; helps Jake after the fight.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xviii)

At the café with Jake; comments on Brett's lunch and the bullfight.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/chapters/xix)

Has coffee with Jake in Pamplona, travels to Bayonne, and takes the train to Paris.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters/bill_gorton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sun_also_rises_se/characters