Hills like White Elephants Ernest Hemingway “Hills Like White Elephants” has two main characters. There is an American man who is trying to convince his girlfriend to have an operation, an abortion. The American calls the girl Jig, Jig knows that no matter what she decides about the baby, this is the end of her relationship with the American man. Although she knows that her relationship with the American will not continue regardless of the decision she makes about the baby, Jig retreats from the conversation to engage with her own thoughts. Hemingway reflects these thoughts to readers by setting “Hills Like White Elephants” in a train station nestled between a wide, fertile and beautiful valley and blank barren hills, both representing the choices Jig has. Jig mentions the hills look like white elephants. White elephants are unwanted
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The man orders two big beers; this could mean anything, chances are he is trying to void from talking about the operation. Not only is he trying to avoid this discussion with Jig but this is also Jigs way of approaching the conversation with him. Possibly this is Jig and the man’s way of settling situations like this, a beer for two. In the story there is another woman, she is the bartender who only speaks Spanish. The bartender brings Jig her beer but jig seems distracted as she is looking off into the hills. Jig looking off into hills can only symbolize that she is thinking about other things, more than likely the obstacle she is having with the operation and maybe the thought of a new life with a child. She mentions “that’s all we do, isn’t it—look at things and try new drinks?” (Hills Like White Elephants 476). This looks to be saying that she is unhappy with their life together or simply tired and bored of doing the same things. She could perhaps want more from life; including a baby in her life is what she wants to
The man orders two big beers; this could mean anything, chances are he is trying to void from talking about the operation. Not only is he trying to avoid this discussion with Jig but this is also Jigs way of approaching the conversation with him. Possibly this is Jig and the man’s way of settling situations like this, a beer for two. In the story there is another woman, she is the bartender who only speaks Spanish. The bartender brings Jig her beer but jig seems distracted as she is looking off into the hills. Jig looking off into hills can only symbolize that she is thinking about other things, more than likely the obstacle she is having with the operation and maybe the thought of a new life with a child. She mentions “that’s all we do, isn’t it—look at things and try new drinks?” (Hills Like White Elephants 476). This looks to be saying that she is unhappy with their life together or simply tired and bored of doing the same things. She could perhaps want more from life; including a baby in her life is what she wants to