Critical Analysis of Hills Like White Elephants

‘It’s not really an operation at all.’” (Hemingway 213). No, it’s not really an operation at all. It is a life altering decision that the man and women were faced with in the short story Hills Like White Elephants, by Ernest Hemingway. Abortion was the topic of conversation throughout this short story, however the word was never used. In place of the word abortion, the man and women use only the word operation. By using the word operation instead of abortion, many problems arise through the couples poor communication conveying the message that we should say what we mean and confront our

Women and men have rarely ever been able to wholeheartedly agree upon something, especially something as significant as an unwanted pregnancy. “Hills Like White Elephants” centers around an unwanted pregnancy and how a young couple is talking about it and handing it. While the mention of pregnancy or abortion is never actually said, it can be inferred through their conversations and simple clues Hemingway includes such as, “It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig” (Hemingway) (Link). The man in this relationship, the American, continues to reassure the woman, Jig, that the “operation” is simple and tons of people have it done. He also continues to repeat “how simple” it is. Jig

While “Hills Like White Elephants” is a short story, it compresses a lot of ideals and feelings in its few pages. The story opens with a couple at a train station passing the time until their train arrives. They sit in the bar area of the station and seem to try to relax over drinks. While trying to make small talk the couple starts to have a talk about an operation the woman, whose name is Jig, is going to have. What the operation is for or on is never said outright, but with the language used, such as “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ve known lots of people that have done it” (Hemingway 636) and “They just let the air in and then it’s all perfectly natural” (Hemingway 636), I feel they are talking about her getting an abortion. They don’t seem to really be on the same page about how they really feel

“Hills Like White Elephants”, by Ernest Hemingway, is a short story published in 1927 that takes place in a train station in Spain with a man and a woman discussing an operation. Most of the story is simply dialogue between the two characters, the American and Jig. This couple is at a critical point in their lives when they must decide whether or not to have an abortion. Certain themes arise from this story such as choices and consequences, doubt and ambiguity, and how men and women relate. Hemingway also uses many examples of symbolism in “Hills Like White Elephants”, including descriptions of the surrounding scenery, the hills themselves, and the station where the action takes place.

There are significant amounts of symbol used in this short story, for instance “they look like white elephants” (Hemingway 1927 P.196). Indicating a possession that is useless and troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of. In this case it is something that will be more difficult to dispose of; although, it is not mentioned by name. The most likely scenario is that Jig is pregnant with her unborn child, something that’s troublesome to maintain and difficult to dispose of. The unborn child poses a problem for the couple as Jig is uncertain which course of action will bring them true happiness, aborting the child or welcoming it into their life. Hemmingway draws increased attention on the beers being consumed as they may symbolize a short escape from having to make hard decisions. Alcohol, while being problematic, can also be looked at as a stalling technique in this case. The American believes they will be truly happy if the unborn child is aborted, while Jig sees the unborn child as the end of their relationship. If Jig has the child, there is a chance that The American would leave her; this fear likely prompts her to be more inviting of the alcohol. The majority of people only drink when they need to cope or when they are trying to avoid something, and in Jig’s case it is the latter. It seems that jig won’t mind having the baby but the American is opposing it. For example, she

In the short story "Hills Like White Elephant" by Ernest Hemingway readers are introduced to a couple who's relationship is in trouble. A baby in their case seems to be the real reason why they're having difficulties in their relationship. The issues and concerns are becoming hard for them to understanding. The man dose not want to have this baby so he says "that's the only thing that bothers us It's the only thing that made us unhappy’’(Hemingway 115).The man really feels as if this was a big mistake and just getting rid of it would make it " the baby" will make them all better. Throughout the entire short story Jig the "women" and the man "the American", seem to have a lack of understanding for each other. It seems to be that having an abortion is what the solution should be to their problem, but this was suggested by the man.

“And once they take it away, you never get it back,” Jig retorts. A statement emphasizes the reality and effects of abortion. "Hills like White Elephants" written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927. The short story develops conflict over the issue of abortion. The couples, Jig and the American, bickers between what choices to make. Their own perspective view clashes which makes them frustrated with each other. The man convinces Jig the simplicity of abortion; letting the air in. Jig opposes the plan but too hesitant to express her feelings. She realizes that whatever decision she takes, things will never be the same again. Jig’s decides against having an abortion. She chooses to have a life with the baby. The story illustrates the couples’ burden

“Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway is set at a train station to showcases the fact that the relationship between the American and Jig is at a turning point. The main characters must decide whether to part ways or continue their relationship. The title hits at what their problem is; “While elephants” are link to fertility and knowledge which can symbolizes Jig’s pregnancy and hills can mean obstacles. Is clear that the American does not want the baby as he calls the abortions a “simple operation” (476) and “not really an operation at all” (476). However, Jig keeps her eye on the hills and calls the “lovely” (476). Jig seems torn between having the baby or not, she feel like the baby is a blessing from nature but fears she is going

The American seems to think that the process of the abortion is very simple. Jig seems like she just wants to be happy and please her boyfriend with whatever his choice is. She is having second thoughts if she should have the abortion. In the text it says, “and if I do it you’ll be happy and things will be like they were and you’ll love me?” Jig seems like she will end up having the baby after all because she said, “ It’s all right for you to say that, but do I know it.” She seems to think by this is that he is not going to be suffering because of her actions, she will be the one suffering.In the beginning Jig judgement was that she would do anything to make her boyfriend happy. At the end Jig seems to realize that she should go for what she feels is the right choice.

Close interpretation of the story "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway leads the reader to an issue that has plagued society for decades. Understanding of the human condition is unveiled in the story line, the main setting, and through the character representation. The main characters in the story are an American man and a female named Jig. The conflict about abortions is an issue that still faces society today. Architectural and atmospheric symbolisms are used to set the mood and outline the human condition. The love bond between the man and Jig is strong; however, the more powerful bond between Jig and her unborn child is sacred.

The title of the short story, “Hills Like White Elephants”, is quite clever. The definition of a white elephant is a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of. Throughout the story, the American man and Jig constantly discuss Jig getting an operation, and Jig is having serious doubts about it. According to Ernest Hemingway, “’I think it's the best thing to do. But I don't want you to do it if you don't really want to.’ ‘And if I do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?’” (“Hills Like White Elephants”). Even though it is not simply stated, we can infer from the definition of white elephant, and the couple’s afore-mentioned conversation, that Jig and the American man are planning on getting an abortion, which also explains why Jig is having second thoughts. Thus, I concluded that the American man wanted Jig to get an abortion, but she was having second thoughts, hence the whole

Ernest Hemingway’s stories are known for their ever interpreting meanings behind them, and “Hills Like White Elephants” does not trail from the rest due to the never mentioned word ‘abortion’. “Hills Like White Elephants,” written by Ernest Hemingway, takes place around World War 1 in Spain, at a train station ("Hills Like White Elephants." 4). An American man and a girl have been discussing the girl’s unspecific operation. It is apparent that the girl feels uneasy about this operation while the man continually pushes the topic. Despite the fact that Hemingway never spells out what the type of operation they are discussing, critics and readers believe the operation has something to do with an abortion. These perceptions occur because of the heavily present symbolism. Within “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway uses short and concise sentences filled with symbolism which allows the readers to interpret his writing. The common interpretations involved with this specific piece are if the girl had an abortion or if she decided to keep the baby. Although, Hemingway does not forthcomingly say if she had an abortion, the symbols, such as the white elephants, the recurring number two, and the setting, help form the idea that she did not end up having the abortion. As to the lack of detail in “Hills Like White Elephants,” critics and readers disagree on if the couple had the abortions; however with close examination of the short story and research, it remains clear that the

The short story Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway is about a young couple who is trying to make a decision in their life. The woman is named Jig, and the man is referred to as The American. Hemingway uses many symbols to convey the message of undecidedness between the character over a problem. though it is not written the reader can conclude that the tension in the story is based around Jig being pregnant and the American wanting her to have an abortion. The story is set on a train station in Spain between Barcelona and Madrid, and the couple have to decide which train they will board finalizing their decision of aborting the baby or not. Hemingway uses symbolism, like numbers and objects, in his short story Hills Like White Elephants to express the decisions that Jig and the American have to make, which will ultimately alter the future relationship of the couple.

In Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” Hemingway sets the scene with an ordinary couple drinking alcohol waiting on the train to arrive, as we can assume the story undergoes a major decision needing to be made by the characters. We read about a distressed couple contemplating what to do on the issue of what seems to be an abortion, “an awful simple operation.” More seems to be going on during the story than what initially meets the readers eye, and the author leaves a lot of room for interpretation of his short story. Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” incorporates symbolism of the title throughout the story to deliver a powerful message about choice.

Ernest Hemingway, author of the short story “Hills Like White Elephants” wrote the ending of the story in a vague yet intriguing way, leaving the reader with the question of what will happen with the pregnancy. Although the story can indicate one ending or the other, looking at all the details in the correct manner would only lead to one conclusion: that the couple will not keep the pregnancy and will ultimately have an abortion. Jig, the woman, presents herself in a feminine way. She is always looking for the approval of those around her. Also, if she truly wanted to keep her baby, she would have taken better care of herself throughout the story, simply because she is the maker of this new being that is growing. With those in mind, it is difficult seeing her keep the baby.