Forcefulness From The American in Hills Like White Elephants Essay

Hills like White Elephants

In the short story, Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway, a man who is referred to as The American and a girl who is referred to as Jig are at a train station in Ebro, Spain. They are awaiting to broad a train to Madrid, where eligibly a simple operation will be performed. The American is trying to convince Jig to proceed with the operation because its the only thing that makes them unhappy. Ernest Hemingway never explicitly states what the operation is but it is lend to be believed that the operation is an abortion. Hills like White Elephants represents the typical way males dominate relationships and the complexities of abortion.

In the beginning of Hills like White Elephants, the girl states that the hills look like white elephants and the man says he has never seen a white elephant before. Jig says, No, you wouldnt have. The American quickly jumps down her throat and states, Just because you say I wouldnt have doesnt prove anything. This kind of sets the tone for the short story showing the American to be the more forceful figure in the relationship. Another way the American shows dominance in the relationship is when the girl asks permission to order an Anis del Toro in the train station, showing the girl to be submissive.

In the train station, the man and the girl are drinking beer and having a general discussion but quickly the conversation drifts to the simple operation the American wants the girl, Jig, to have done. The man states,Its really an awfully simple operation, Jig Its not really an operation at all. By saying its not really an operation at all, shows the insignificances of the abortion to him. For most females, an abortion is something that will always stay with them, but for males it is typically the opposite. Jig having this abortion ensures the American that he is free to still travel the world and be youthful with no responsibilities.

However, Jig seems to only want to have the operation because she thinks it will make the American happy and love her again. For Jig to even feel that he does not love her while she is pregnant shows how males typically dominate relationships. Children normally bring happiness into most peoples life but the man is trying to dominate Jig by telling her Its the only thing thats made us unhappy. The American tells the girl, that I dont want you to do it if you dont want to. Im perfectly willing to go through with it if it means anything to you. The American acts as if the unborn baby means nothing at all to him, but he tells the girl of course it does mean something to him. However, even though he tells the girl he cares, he basically flat out tells her that he does not want a child by stating, But I dont want anybody but you. I dont want anyone else The man clearly states that there is no room in their relationship for a baby. Telling the girl this while she is pregnant is only going to make her think that maybe an abortion is the best thing to do if the American does not want the baby this bad.

The man does not want to part from the lifestyle they live, going from hotel to hotel, but it seems like the girl wants more stability in her life. However, if the girl goes ahead with the pregnancy, the American will be forced to settle down, which means he will have to let go of his youthful desires of seeing the world. The man views the unborn baby as a hindrance to their lives thus the reason he tries to convince her to abort the baby.

The story ends with the couple expecting their trains arrival in five minutes. There is no resolution and there is no decision stated regarding the abortion. Jig states, I feel fine, when the story comes to an end. Hemingway leaves the reader to guess what will happen to this couple, will the girl decide to go through with the abortion or not.

Throughout Hills like White Elephants, Hemingway shows a couples relationship which seems to be on the rocks because of an operation. Jig does not seem to be sure about what she wants to do; however, the American is certain that they can not have a baby. The American tries to convince the girl to have an abortion in every way possible. The American claims an abortion to be a simple operation and will make them happy again. Even though Hemingway never states what the couple does it is strongly implied that an abortion will occur from how the man talks about their future.