The Itch They Just Can't Scratch

In Chapter XVI, the gang attacks Cohn and tells him to his face (again) that the group wants him to "go away, for God's sake. Take that sad Jewish face away"(pg 181) as stated by Mike. Cohn is especially beginning to get on Mike's nerves because of the tryst he had with Brett in San Sebastian earlier in the novel. Mike becomes so enraged at Cohn in this chapter that he berates him saying "do you think you belong here with us?...Why don't you see when you're not wanted Cohn? Go away"(pg 181). The tension between the two throughout the novel up to this point was bubbling below the surface; therefore, when Mike finally snaps, the blow up is horrendous, which is enough to create feelings of pity in the reader for the annoying Cohn. But it is important to recognize that it is not only Mike who is irritated by him. Brett and Jake later prove their exasperation as well in a dialogue between the two on page 185). Brett is a wench to Cohn in order to get rid of him and inquires of Jake, "Was I rude enough to him? My God! I'm so sick of him!" Jake agrees with her saying, "He doesn't add much to the gayety. He's behaved very badly." In a way, I feel bad for Cohn; he has deeply rooted feelings of insecurity and poor self-esteem. But the bigger issue I see here is the fact that he thinks he is superior to the rest of the group, which can only anger everyone else. Moreover, he slept with the fiance of one of the men in the gang; not to mention, the fiance is the true love of his best friend. I believe Cohn is experiencing what he deserves.