Hills Like White Elephants By Ernest Hemingway Analysis

Ernest Hemingway is a well known American novelist of the 20th century. He wrote an assortment of novels and short stories throughout his career. Two of his most famous short stories are “Hills Like White Elephants” and “A Clean Well Lighted Place.” Both of these works are written in a way that forces the reader to look beyond the general details to interpret the meanings of the stories. The significance of the works must be determined based on underlying themes and symbolism. This style of writing is called the Iceberg Theory. The Iceberg Theory refers to the fact that much like an iceberg, the real implications of Hemingway’s literature exist beneath the surface. In addition to being linked with the Iceberg Theory, Hemingway is also associated with specific themes and symbolism in his writing collectively referred to as Hemingway Code. Some examples of Hemingway Code include: bravery, grace under pressure, admiration and appreciation of other cultures, dignity in ourselves and in others, and existentialism. Though “Hills Like White Elephants” and “A Clean …show more content…
Hemingway never mentions how the couple’s relationship was before the pregnancy. This goes back to the Iceberg Theory. It is up to the reader to infer what Hemingway means. Perhaps the couple was not happy together due to the situation. This part of “Hills Like White Elephants” demonstrates bravery as featured in Hemingway Code. The girl is forced to be brave in the wake of a monumental decision. Diane Andrews Henningfeld discusses how bravery relates to tragedy, which in turn “has roots in death and sterility,” (114). This shows that the girl is being brave even though the fetus inside her is facing death. Bravery in Hemingway Code was emphasized when it was against death. Hemingway valued those who were gallant despite the possibility of death that they may have been