Critics

The Hemingway Review

By: Nilofer Hashmi

This essay examines different scholarly interpretations of the ending of Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” and suggests a different outcome from those so far considered–the girl will indeed have the abortion, expecting in this way to stay on with the man, but after the operation has been performed, he will abandon her. Various verbal and non-verbal indications found in the story support this interpretation of the narrative, as does the very symbolism of the title itself.

 

Literary Analysis: Hills like White Elephants, by Ernest Hemingway

By: Oscar Trejo Jr

After careful reading of Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants”, it is very clear what it’s purpose is. The story takes in the Ebro River valley of Spain, where an American man and his female companion Jig are waiting for a train and having drinks discussing “doing it”. Obviously, by “doing it”, they’re referring to whether or not they should have an abortion. At the end of the story, we can only assume that they decide to go through with the abortion, when Jig tells the American male “I don’t care about me.” The man goes and haves a drink by himself and return to his companion. She assures him that she is fine and they both head to Madrid, where, presumably, the abortion will take place.

Some of the themes used in this story includes the coming of age, psychological manipulation in a sense that he attempts to manipulate Jig into having the abortion by presenting the operation as a simple procedure that is in her best interests. The dynamics of the romantic relationship and it’s metamorphosis into a family is another theme.

When it comes to symbolism, this story has plenty of it. One of the main symbolism in the story is when Jig stares at the hills and comments on them. She says they look like white elephants. The phrase “Hills Like White Elephants” is symbolic of the pregnant Jigs belly. It’s also symbolic because the American views the couple’s unborn child as an approaching obstacle just like a hill. Another piece of symbolism includes the train tracks form a dividing line between the barren expanse of land stretching toward the hills on one side and the green, fertile farmland on the other, symbolizing the choice faced by each of the main characters and their differing interpretations of the dilemma of pregnancy. Finally, her name Jig, is symbolic because jig is another word for a whiskey measurer, which is a tool. It’s symbolic because the American male thinks of her as more of a tool than a person with feelings and values. In the end, after careful examination, there is no doubt that this story is a great read and deserves to be read. Probably one of the best Hemingway short story he’s written.

 

A Literary Criticism of Hills Like White Elephants

By: Unknown

A Literary Criticism of “Hills Like White Elephants” I recently read the short story, “Hills Like White Elephants”. Initially, I found it confusing and hard to understand. I hope to clarify the story by summarizing it, and explain the symbolism used.
The story is set in a bar beside a train station. A couple sits together at a table discussing something that is unknown to the reader. The couple is enjoying a beer while awaiting their train. The young woman seems disconnected as she looks out over a line of hills and says, “They look like white elephants”. This statement should set off an alarm in the mind of the reader. This statement and the title are symbolic to the meaning of the story. One must know that if one is given a white elephant then they are given an unwanted and useless gift. This leads the reader to believe that this is what the story is about. The couple continues to drink heavily which would also lead one to believe that they have something troubling them. As one continues reading, they are presented with a clue to the couple’s problem. The man says, “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ve known lots of people that have done it”. He goes on to say, “If you don’t want to you don’t have to. I wouldn’t have you do it if you didn’t want to. But it’s perfectly simple”. This leads the reader to believe that, although it is the couple’s problem, the woman holds all responsibility and the right to make the decision. The man and woman go back and forth with the argument. The man says things to the effect of, ” I think it’s the best thing to do. But I don’t want you to do it if you don’t really want to”. She replies, “And if I do it you’ll be happy and things will be like they were and you’ll love me?” Again, this gives the reader the opinion that her decision, and her decision alone, will alter their life forever. As the story closes, she asks that they terminate the conversation. He takes their luggage to the other side of the train to assure that it is loaded on board, and then he return to the table. “Do you feel better?” he asks. She replies, “I feel fine. There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine”.
Throughout the story the couple refuses to speak of the problem. They refuse to speak of it for fear that actually saying it would be admitting that there actually is a problem. The couple is struggling over the decision of whether or not to abort their unborn child. The reference to white elephants symbolizes the abortion. Many years ago people would give miniature white elephants as gifts. They served no function and were considered unwanted, useless gifts. The abortion was an unwanted gift to this couple. The man continues to reassure the woman that the problem can easily be taken care of. One gets the feeling from the couple’s conversation that she may want to keep their unborn child, but she would do anything for him; anything to keep him.
I really enjoyed this short story. I liked how Ernest Hemingway allowed the reader to ponder what the couple was arguing about. I hope this gives some insight to those who struggle with understanding this short story.
The writing produced by Ernest Hemingway was in itself an act of rebellion that personifies the unique character of how Americans want or believe they should be perceived — brash, self-sufficient, able to move beyond what most people would presumably consider personal setbacks, even the ability to detach one’s self from personal tragedy and see it in a humorous light. Ernest Hemingway was as simple as he was complex. The lucid and uncomplicated images he created with his seemingly elementary style were anything but; in fact, the complexity that resides within his characteristically eloquent prose, which demonstrate a purity and precision like no other, are known only to those who can see beyond their fade. Attention to outer detail and an unquenchable desire to portray his inner pain, Hemingway favored a more simplistic approach to convey his view of women, portraying obvious empathy for his female characters, while his male characters and protagonists appear to be more self-absorbed. In viewing the male/female relationships, as well as how men and women are depicted in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants.”