Analysis on the Hills Like White Elephants

Analysis on The Hills Like White Elephants

Ernest Hemingway’s short story entitled "The Hills Like White Elephants" is about a nameless American man and a girl waiting at a train station. The station is not a final destination but solely a terminal point. Moreover, the setting is trying to point out the two lines of rails, which symbolizes the dilemma between the American and the girl’s relationship. While they are waiting, they fail to seriously discuss their thoughts on the real issue, the girl’s operation, but rather utter short and unhelpful words that are of no help at all. Jig’s major operation, although not specified, refers to abortion. By the end of their conversation, they both drink separately. The girl drinks at the table; on the other hand, the man drinks partner-less at the bar. This, for me, gives the idea that the couple will finish their relationship and eventually go their separate ways. At the end of the story, the train arrives and the man carries the baggage, symbolizing their burdens, to the tracks as they prepare to depart; meanwhile, Jig insists she’s fine. Hemingway left an unclear ending leaving his readers wondering if Jig went through with the operation.

Hemingway did not mention the American’s name for a reason. This is another one of Hemingway’s symbolisms, and through this, we can say that Hemingway is implying that most Americans are similar to this particular character. The story implicates a lot of instances wherein the American and Jig drink and travel in different destinations not only to appreciate and luxuriate, but also to live their lives wandering with no purpose and certainty.

During their “alone” time, I noticed how often Jig asks the American of his opinions; for instance, she asks how many drinks she should take. With this, I figured that Jig is very needy and feels incapable without the American. I noticed that besides trusting the American too much, she has trouble asserting and expressing herself. She manifests...