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Hills like white elephant

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"Hills Like White Elephants": The Jilting of Jig Hashmi, Nilofer. The Hemingway Review, Volume 23, Number 1, Fall 2003, pp. 72-83 (Article) Published by University of Idaho Department of English DOI: 10.1353/hem.2004.0009 For additional information about this article http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hem/summary/v023/23.1hashmi.html Access Provided by Chulalongkorn University at 11/21/11 7:26AM GMT “hills like white elephants”: T h e j i lt i n g of j i g nilofer hashmi Georgia Southern University critics grappling with Ernest Hemingway’s hauntingly enigmatic “Hills Like White Elephants” have failed to reach a consensus about the ending of the story.1 Almost all agree, however, that regardless of what actually …show more content…

A third interpretation of the outcome, having the acceptance of many readers, is that the girl accedes to the man’s demands and both proceed to Madrid where the girl will have the abortion in order to stay on with the man. This interpretation is supported by Joseph DeFalco who refers to the girl’s “capitulation” (172), and also by Timothy O’Brien. The latter observes that by means of its ending (Jig’s agreeing to the abortion), “the story functions not only as a powerful critique of man’s sexual politics, but also as a complex portrayal of woman’s, not just Jig’s, final compliance” (24). While Jig’s yielding to the man’s wishes is a highly plausible scenario in the light of the conversation and innuendos found in the narrative, a significant question arises relating to what will follow if Jig undergoes the abortion in hopes of retaining the existing partnership. The question is: will the man choose to stay on with her afterwards? Or is he more likely to abandon her after the abortion has been performed? Strong reasons can be found to support the latter eventuality. While Jig may or may not have any option other than to continue to be the man’s companion, is he under any compulsion to be with her if he no longer wants her? The apparent answer to this question leads to the possibility of a fourth outcome to the story: the girl will, of necessity or of choice, accede to the man’s wishes, but

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