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The owner of a hotel in Pamplona, Montoya welcomes Jake and his friends when they arrive for the fiesta. He does not have a particular connection to Brett, Cohn, Bill, or Mike, but he bonds with Jake over bullfighting and goes out of his way to make him feel welcome as a result. For Montoya, bullfighting is an art whose integrity must be protected and upheld rather than an excuse for drunken revelry. The fact that he views Jake as someone with “aficion,” or passion, suggests that he believes they share those values. Montoya’s tone and facial expressions even reflect this dynamic, his behavior hinting at the idea that bullfighting is “a very special secret” between them. The respect that Montoya has for Jake explains why he ultimately chooses to introduce him and Bill to Pedro Romero. Especially after watching Romero’s performance in the arena, both men recognize and celebrate his promise as a young bullfighter. Montoya wants to protect Romero’s career from the trappings of fame, and because he trusts Jake to have a similar perspective, he seeks out his advice about facilitating a meeting between Romero and the American ambassador.
When Jake goes against his own suggestion and introduces Romero to Brett, however, Montoya becomes extremely upset, and his warm hospitality vanishes. Jake’s betrayal and Montoya’s emotional shift both offer important insights into their respective values. Knowingly risking Romero’s career and reputation by inviting him to associate with Brett reflects Jake’s carelessness, a quality which permeates his “lost generation” more broadly. Alternatively, Montoya’s response emphasizes just how seriously he takes bullfighting and the preservation of Spanish traditions. He believes that Romero can stay pure and remain an exceptional bullfighter, a stance which suggests he is more idealistic than many of his disillusioned counterparts. By highlighting this break between Jake and Montoya, Hemingway offers yet another example of the costs associated with the aimless, reckless lives led by the Lost Generation. Jake’s actions threaten both his and Romero’s respectability among aficionados like Montoya who care deeply about upholding the authenticity of cultural traditions.
