The American man tries to rationalize an abortion by saying, “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ve known lots of people that have done it” (Hemingway). Hemingway is a very subtle writer and often leaves his works open ended. The American man never threatens the woman or tells her which is the right choice to be made. In fact, he claims he will love her if she has the abortion or if she doesn’t. His superior male ego takes a toll on the woman though, she thinks that having an abortion will allow him to continue loving her. His action of bringing up the abortion in conversation was all a ploy so that in the end she would be the only one in his life. Love may have seemed to play a role, while the woman was contemplating the surgery, but the American knew from the beginning what he wanted and how to manipulate the woman into carrying through with his plan. The Americans egoism is not the only egoism that is shown, the woman displays it too. She is only out to better herself as well, the last line of the story she states “I feel fine” (Hemingway). As the reader, one must decide what this means for themselves, I believe it means she is now fine with the decision to have an abortion. This is egoism in a subconscious way, she is having the abortion not for the American but so that she can be with the American, she is …show more content…
These decisions may be masked by what appears to be love or even just selfless intentions, but subconsciously they are rooted in self-interest. From the General in Buttons, to the woman in Hills like White Elephants, everyone has a choice, it’s the sad reality that the choice make will ultimately be out of egoistic motives. Altruism is the greatest opposition of egoism and the only means to combat it. Altruism is best described as selflessness and is said to be a learned habit, so as long as one breathes they should strive to instill it in their children and their children’s