Hills Like White Elephants Feminist Analysis

In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” there is very little detail of what is actually going on in the story, however, there is several feminism concerns in his story. He uses characterization and dialog to portray a powerful and controlling man who uses his authority to pressure his weak and indecisive girlfriend into making a decision that she does not want to do.After reading the story you can assume that the elephant in the room is abortion. At the end of the story Jig seems okay with her decision and the choice she wants to make. Ernest Hemingway was a young man when he wrote this story, and empathized with women’s plight in a time when women were confined to traditional roles. More women need to be like Jig, who took one small …show more content…
He cunningly tries to comfort Jig by telling her that decision is totally up to her, but then tells her that he believes that the operation would be the best thing for the both of them. He states “It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig.”. Then proceeds to say “You don't have to be afraid. I’ve known lots of people that have done it.” Jig can’t seem to decide, but seems reluctant to go through with the operation. This story took place in 1938,where women were seen as inferior to men in society. Although he didn’t seem to be controlling Jig, you can understand how he is trying to convince her of his decision instead of hers. Later Jig says “ And if I do it youll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?” It does not seem that Jig wants the abortion. She is seem afraid of losing the American if she goes with what she wants and keeps the pregnancy. In the era in which this was written an unmarried pregnant “girl” would not be accepted by society. Likely, Jig was going along with what the American wanted because she felt it was her only choice. She also seems to have her identity wrapped in the belief that if the American loves her then everything will be …show more content…
She does not only negate the will of the American, but she also starts to challenge him with an indirect question: “And you think then we’ll be all right and be happy”. Here Jig is not only challenging the American but also questioning his beliefs. “And you think” is almost mocking in tone, showing that the American actually has no idea how Jig feels. Now it has become clear that Jig wants to keep her unborn child. She is not only passively trying to negate the American’s will but is also confronting him in a sarcastic manner which shows the reader that she is willing to fight for her right to have the child. She here breaks the traditional gender roles, which cast women as irrational, weak and submissive. Her newfound strength and will to stand up for herself shows us that she is evolving into a strong