I have to write an outline on The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, and I can't seem to find an appropriate thesis statement for such a paper. I was hoping someone could help me. I was thinking something along the lines of:

In The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway uses characterization and setting to state that the members of the Lost Generation led an empty and meaningless life and often turned to alcoholism to fill this void.

Any ideas? Comments?

That's a really good thesis statement. You've taken an excellent stance regarding this particular book: " ... led an empty and meaningless life ... "

Be sure to post your thesis and outline before you start to write your first draft if you'd like feedback from someone here.

Your thesis statement is a good starting point for your paper on The Sun Also Rises. It effectively highlights two important elements of the novel, characterization and setting, and proposes that these elements are used to convey a message about the members of the Lost Generation.

To improve your thesis statement, you can make it more specific and focused. Consider incorporating your main points or ideas into the thesis statement to give readers a clearer understanding of what to expect from your paper. Additionally, you might want to consider how the theme of escapism through alcoholism is also portrayed in the novel, as it seems to be an integral part of your thesis.

Here's a revised example thesis statement:

In Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, through the vivid characterization of the Lost Generation and the evocative setting of post-WWI Europe, the novel examines the desperate attempt to find purpose and fulfillment in an empty world, ultimately suggesting that alcohol becomes a central means of escape and temporary fulfillment for the disillusioned characters.

By incorporating the main ideas of characterization, setting, the Lost Generation's struggle for meaning, and the role of alcoholism, your revised thesis statement offers a concise preview of the topics you intend to explore in your paper. Remember to ensure that your body paragraphs align with and support the arguments laid out in your thesis statement.