After reading Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway, it is clear that he uses symbolism to show the true meaning behind his story. The emotion behind this story is bold but to find that, it takes some thought. By looking at the different symbolism Hemingway uses such as, the title, the setting and landscaped described on both sides of the tracks, the coming and going of the train, as well as the number two. This story allows the readers to take their imagination and emotion and take this story in their own way.
Hemingway's title is far beyond what is on paper, the term white elephants actually means, "A burdensome possession; creating more trouble than it is worth" (phrases.org).
"White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy …show more content…
The symbolism of the scenery brings us to the main point of abortion. The narrator describes one side of the station, "The girl was looking off at the line of hills. They were white in the sun and the country was brown and dry" (Hemingway 130). This gives an image of possible sadness, or loneliness. Later in the story it states, "The girl stood up and walked to the end of the station. Across, on the other side, were fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro. Far away beyond the river were mountains. The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees." (Hemingway 132) Unlike the first description, this side of the tracks seem happy and, full of life. These two descriptions are symbols of two different lifestyles for the American and Jig. The first symbolizes the couples future if they go along with the abortion. No matter how many times the American says things will go back to normal they wont, the thought of death will carry with them for the rest of their lives. But on the other side of the tracks Jig is picturing her life if she has the baby, as she uses Fields of Grain to symbolize fertility and the Ebro river to symbolize life. She uses the shadow of a cloud to show how her boyfriend has a different opinion than she does, or how society is against pregnant women who are not
Hemingway's title is far beyond what is on paper, the term white elephants actually means, "A burdensome possession; creating more trouble than it is worth" (phrases.org).
"White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy …show more content…
The symbolism of the scenery brings us to the main point of abortion. The narrator describes one side of the station, "The girl was looking off at the line of hills. They were white in the sun and the country was brown and dry" (Hemingway 130). This gives an image of possible sadness, or loneliness. Later in the story it states, "The girl stood up and walked to the end of the station. Across, on the other side, were fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro. Far away beyond the river were mountains. The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees." (Hemingway 132) Unlike the first description, this side of the tracks seem happy and, full of life. These two descriptions are symbols of two different lifestyles for the American and Jig. The first symbolizes the couples future if they go along with the abortion. No matter how many times the American says things will go back to normal they wont, the thought of death will carry with them for the rest of their lives. But on the other side of the tracks Jig is picturing her life if she has the baby, as she uses Fields of Grain to symbolize fertility and the Ebro river to symbolize life. She uses the shadow of a cloud to show how her boyfriend has a different opinion than she does, or how society is against pregnant women who are not