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Count Mippipopolous first appears in Chapter 4, and while he may initially seem to be another restless expat when Jake and Brett meet him at the bar, he eventually emerges as someone confident in his worldview and comfortable with his identity. A wealthy Greek man, he spends much of his time in Paris drinking and socializing. This behavior is what drives Brett to declare early on that the Count is “quite one of us,” a statement that implies he shares their lack of purpose and disillusionment. As the Count spends more time around Brett and Jake, however, a distinct difference emerges between his approach to life and theirs. He presents himself in a very genuine way, and the warmth and kindness he displays emphasizes that he is proud of the life he leads. Contrary to many of the novel’s other men, the Count does not let shame, despair, or pride drive his actions. Instead, he allows his experiences of fighting in wars and revolutions to inform his values, gaining a transformative perspective as a result. The Count partakes in drinking and socializing because he truly enjoys it. Rather than consuming alcohol purely to get drunk and forget his past, for example, he sips wine slowly to savor the flavor and relish in the comfort that it brings him. The security that the Count feels in who he is also manifests itself in his interactions with Brett, making him one of the least imposing male figures in her life. He does not shy away from admitting that he wants to spend time with her, but he does not lash out when she rejects his offers to travel around the world with him or expresses interest in other men. Between his authentic nature and stable point of view, the Count functions as a key foil character for Jake and his friends. His presence in the novel suggests that the Lost Generation’s sense of aimlessness is not necessarily an inevitable trauma response but rather a unique product of World War I’s horrors.
