Overview and Analysis of Hills Like White Elephants Essay

Hills like white elephants

The short story Hills like white elephants takes place in a small river valley in Spain called Ebro. We meet a man and a woman having a odd conversation. We know that the womans name is Jig but the man is just referred to as the American(page 414, line 3 from the bottom). They are waiting for their train to arrive while they order 2 cold beers. You are told that the two are a couple and during the time at the station they are telling each other how much they love each other. Jig seems distant while the American is trying to tell her that he supports her.

At the first look at this the story seems kind of boring and anticlimactic, because their conversation is rather ordinary in the beginning. But later on in the story they are discussing an operation which the American attempts to convince Jig to undergo. Even though it never actually says abortion in the text, it is pretty clear through numerous of clues such as: But I dont want anybody but you(page 418 line 21) and: Its just to let the air in(page 416 line 25).

After the extremely long argument in the story, Jig tells the American that: I dont care about me(page 417 line 18) but the American just continues the argument. It kind of seems like they are talking past each other, and not one of them wants to admit that they doesnt want this baby. Hemingway uses simple language to disguise the fact that they are discussing an abortion

The name of the story comes from Jigs exclamation that the hills looks like white elephants in the dark grey desert. In the beginning its the shape of the hills she compares to elephants but later on the realizes that its the color of the hills. To make it symbolic you could say that the white elephant is an unborn child.

White elephants have always been considered unwanted and a huge problem. A white elephant isnt what people want and its incredibly hard to get rid of. Although in Buddhism culture the white elephant is considered a precious gift of high value, because it is connected to the birth of Buddha. When his mother was pregnant with Buddha, she had of dream where a white elephant presented her with a lotus, a symbol of purity and knowledge.

In this story it is pretty clear that they do not want the child. Even though a child would be wonderful they are not ready yet. They are not ready to be tied down in their life with so many adventures: Thats all we do, isnt it look at things and try new drinks?(page 416 line 7-8). Even though Jig seems okay with the operation at some point, she doesnt feel that their life has enough content. She feels that all they do is travelling and trying out new drinks. She says at one point that: Everything tastes of liquorice(page 415 line 3 from the bottom) meaning that their life is dull and tedious.

Jig and the American have 2 different goals in their life. Even though they share their love feelings for each other, Jig seems like she needs more content in her life. She isnt satisfied with travelling and drinking but she still has feelings for the American. The American on the other hand seems fulfilled with his way of living, but he feels glum because of Jig is unhappy. During their arguments it is obvious that Jig has the upper hand because she is the one who is pregnant. It is clear that the American knows that its Jigs body whos going to suffer and therefore he keeps telling her that the operation is very simple and kind. But he doesnt feel well when Jig tells him that: I dont care about me(page 417 line 18) because he feel guilty for pushing her without her wanting to.

The bamboo bead curtain is also a strong symbolic factor during this story, it makes us think about thresholds and separations, which is pretty much what the issues in this story is about. Because Jig wants to have the baby and the American doesnt the curtain works as wall between the two of them where they cant communicate clearly through. Therefore the conversations is pretty empty and the only subject is drinking. The American talks to the bartender through the bead curtain yet the reader is not certain that hes actually talking to anyone before the bartender comes out.