Hills Like White Elephants Thesis

In Ernest Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants, a couple is sitting at a bar as they wait for the train to continue their journey. This couple consists of a male named “The American” and a female named Jig. Early in their conversation, they decide what drinks to have. They are sitting outside of a bar by a train station in Spain. While they are talking Jig remarks that the hills off in the distance look like elephants with white skin. The American quickly attempts to push this topic aside as though there was a larger issue that was troubling him. A short while later they have an argument about how their current relationship is not like it once was due to a clear issue. During one of their arguments, it is made clearer that the issue driving a wedge between them was an unplanned pregnancy. Unsure of what to do they continue to talk about what may be considered their best option. Although this series of events points towards their relationship failing, Jig has a very strong desire to stay by the side of The American. …show more content…
Hemingway shows this best by showing Jig doing something that would seem to have little to no significance. It states, “The girl looked at the bead curtain, put her hand out and took hold of two of the strings of beads.” (476). To some this small action may not appear to be much more than an idle task done while thinking. While it is not readily apparent to the reader, Jig is deeply considering the cost of their child’s life and her past life with the American. She is faced with an internal struggle that is testing her morals as a person. With only the options of keeping the child and risking her current relationship with the American and getting rid of the child to possibly save their