Hill

"Hills Like White Elephants" is a short story by Ernest Hemingway. It was first published in August 1927, in the literary magazine transition, then later in the 1927 short story collectionMen Without Women.

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Plot summary[edit]

The story takes place at a train station in the Ebro River valley of Spain. This particular day is oppressively hot and dry, and the scenery in the valley is barren and ugly for the most part. The two main characters are a man (referred to only as "the American") and his female companion, whom he refers to as "Jig".

While waiting for the train to Madrid, the American and the girl with him drink beer and a liquor called Anís del Toro, which the girl compares to liquorice. Their conversation is mundane at first, but quickly drifts to the subject of an operation the American is attempting to convince the girl to undergo. Though it is never made explicit in the text, it is made clear (through phrases of dialogue such as, "It's just to let the air in", and, "But I don't want anybody but you", among numerous context clues) that the girl is pregnant and the procedure in question is an abortion.

After posing arguments to which the American is largely unresponsive, the girl assents to the operation, while declaring that she does not care about herself. The man tries to give the girl a feel that he is letting her decide but tries to convince her to proceed with the operation. The girl is uncomfortable with their conversation and tries to persuade the man into quieting. He does not concur.

The barmaid comes out through the beaded curtains with two glasses of beer and puts them down on the felt pads. She notes that the train will be arriving shortly. The girl is distracted, but then smiles brightly at the woman and thanks her.

The American leaves the table and carries their bags to the opposing platform, but there's still no sight of the train in the distance. He walks back through the station, and...