https://www.thoughtco.com/hills-like-white-elephants-analysis-2990497 (accessed March 2, 2023). The point of contention between them is that the man wants Jig to have an abortion, and Jig seems hesitant. The girl, however, has moved away from the rational world of the man and into her own world of intuition, in which she seemingly knows that the things that she desires will never be fulfilled. Ernest Hemingway and Hills Like White Elephants Background. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" tells the story of a man and woman drinking beer and anise liqueur while they wait at a train station in Spain. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. "Harry is a protector. Hills Like White Elephants Character Analysis. The varying landscape on either side of the tracks - barren and free of shade on one and abundantly fertile on the other - is actually one of the keys to understanding the underlying theme in 'Hills Like White Elephants.' They were all waiting reasonably for the train. This insight is best illustrated when she looks across the river and sees fields of fertile grain and the river the fertility of the land, contrasted to the barren sterility of the hills like white elephants. You can order an original essay written according to your instructions. Latest answer posted April 25, 2021 at 12:11:24 AM. He insists on talking even more about the operation and the fact that, according to what he's heard, it's "natural" and "not really an operation at all.". A man and a young woman sit in a Spanish train station, drinking, talking, and appreciating the countryside scenery across the valley of the Ebro. Even today, most readers are still puzzled by the story. The Girl (Jig) Character Timeline in Hills Like White Elephants The timeline below shows where the character The Girl (Jig) appears in Hills Like White Elephants. This makes sense in the context of the hills that she says look like "white elephants," as well as the title of the story. Hills Like White Elephants is a conversation between an American man and a girl waiting for a train in Spain. Only by sheer accident, it seems, is the girl nicknamed "Jig.". Read Summary. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The origin of the phrase is commonly traced to a practice in Siam (now Thailand) in which a king would bestow the gift of a white elephant on a member of his court who displeased him. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% for a customized plan. Thus we come to the title of the story. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Latest answer posted December 06, 2012 at 11:16:47 PM. Throughout the story, it is clear that the man would like the woman to get an operation, which he describes as "awfully simple," "perfectly simple," and "not really an operation at all." Its really not anything. 17 chapters | $24.99 By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. She knows that even if she has the operation, their relationship wont return to how it used to be. Planted in the middle of a desolate valley, the station isnt a final destination but merely a stopping point between Barcelona and Madrid. The girl says the hills across the valley look like white elephants, and she and the man argue briefly. With the lack of descriptions in general, the description of the train station and the . If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Complete your free account to request a guide. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% (one code per order). The short story "Hills Like White Elephants," is about a couple that is really young and the is having a issue about abortion. The man is using his logic in order to be as persuasive as possible. The story's central idea is that communication is the key for a long-lasting relationship. SparkNotes PLUS The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Compare and contrast themes from other texts to this theme, The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of Men, Women, and Relationships appears in each chapter of. Readers have the sense that the decision will be made by the time the train comes, one way or another. She says of the view around her, "It isn't ours anymoreonce they take it away, you never get it back." PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. The man is attempting to convince the woman to get an abortion, but the woman is ambivalent about it. She also realizes that she is not loved, at least not unconditionally. She's ambivalent about the choice. Ill go with you and Ill stay with you all the time. Given their seemingly free style of living and their relish for freedom, a baby and a marriage would impose great changes in their lives. The girl also tries to put her two-cents in, using the fertile landscape on the other side of the tracks as a metaphor for the life they could have as a family. for a group? Initially, the two, introduced as the American and the girl, have a nonchalant chat about the heat and what sort of adult beverage they should order. This juxtaposition isn't explicit in the story but is important thematically. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. His purpose in the story was to tell a story about a conversation, a turning point in a relationship, with the meaning stated indirectly and subtly. Ironically, the girl seems to understand that her relationship with the American has effectively ended, despite her professed desire to make him happy. Can we, however, assume something about them for example, is "the man" somewhat older and "the girl" perhaps younger, maybe eighteen or nineteen? Discount, Discount Code Those who take the pro-feminist interpretation see Jig's last line as confirmation that she'll keep the baby; she's "fine" with her choice to ditch the man and the baby is not something "wrong with her" that needs to be fixed with a procedure. For any subject, Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. Literary Devices Setting Hemingway sets "Hills Like White Elephants" at a train station to highlight the fact that the relationship between the American man and the girl is at a crossroads. He has become her guide and her guardian. Analysis of 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. The man is domineering in all his interactions, andthough he pays lip service to wanting to make the girl happy, his decisions are ultimately guided by his own desires. Far from being imaginative, the man is brusque and down-to-eartha man of few words, none of which are in the least bit memorable. Finally, the express train arrives and the two prepare to board. The man seeks to control both the girls actions and intentions as though she were a child, a deeply unhealthy and damaging pattern of behavior. He always orders the drinks, and they reference him wanting to try absinthe in the past. That said, during the latter part of the 1990s, this story became one of the most anthologized of Hemingway's short stories. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. It was perfectly natural for Jig to be afraid given that, at the time, abortion was illegal just about everywhere in the world. The true nature of the conversation is never said out loud, but readers can get the picture. I'm Amy, That's the focus of this lesson. for a group? Jig has become pregnant, and the man has persuaded her to have an abortion in Madrid. The strained tones and the pretensions to an idyllic existence that once existed create an ominous tone. What is only gradually revealed, however, is the immediate cause of that crisis. The "White Elephants" across the valley are one of the first images in the story, and they break the ice of the conversation between the man and the girl. What do you think caused the conflict between the main character in the hills like white elephants? You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. In the story, the pregnancy is the white elephant: she's got it, and it'll be difficult to get rid of it. Ernest Hemingway, author of Hills Like White Elephants. However, the girl contradicts him and, at that moment, seems suddenly strong and more in control of the situation. Since its release in 1927, "Hills Like White Elephants" has been the subject of much interpretation and analysis; critics have dubbed it both feminist and anti-feminist, based on their interpretations of the story's final moments. The two characters talk around and around the issue, repeating themselves and redeveloping their points, until finally the girl tells the man to stop. bookmarked pages associated with this title. The girl is hurt by the man's fraudulent, patronizing empathy, and she is also deeply apprehensive about the operation that she will undergo in Madrid. Summary and Analysis The man connects with her as he orders the drinks, but they aren't attached. What does the name Jig mean in "Hills Like White Elephants" and why does he call her that? We could get along. Of course it does. Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is an excellent example of the Iceberg Theory of fiction writing, also known as the "theory of omission." Also known as the "theory of omission," Hemingway's Iceberg Theory contends that the words on the page should be merely a small part of the whole storythey are the proverbial "tip of the iceberg," and a writer should use as few words as possible in order to indicate the larger, unwritten story that resides below the surface. Particularly rugged or dramatic landscapes like these were favorite features in Hemingway's short stories and novels, and Spain had plenty to offer. The protagonist in Ernest Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants' - identified only as 'the girl' - actually shares both sentiments at the same time. It is apparent that there is significant tension between the two, and the point of contention appears to be that he wants her to have an abortion, while she wants to keep her baby. Character List The American The male protagonist of the story. Also learn about the Iceberg Theory. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The girl is trying to be brave and nonchalant but is clearly frightened of committing herself to having the operation. The discussion about whether to go through with the abortion reveals underlying fissures in their relationship that they refuse to openly acknowledge. And I know its perfectly simple., Would you do something for me now? Id do anything for you. Would you please please please please please please please stop talking?. Hemingway explores older men's loneliness by using the older waiter as a sounding board for the elderly man's defense. An unnamed American man and a woman he calls Jig are involved, and she has become pregnant. Its just to let the air in. The girl did not say anything. Readers are never aware of an author's voice behind the story. creating and saving your own notes as you read. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. But if the story is new to you, you might feel less certain about it. Since the ending leaves Jig's actions open for debate, the story has been seen both as pro-feminist and anti-feminist by differing critics. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Dont have an account? They have clearly been in a romantic and sexual relationship, which has led to Jig being pregnant. The man says she doesn't have to do the procedure if she doesn't want to; he is willing to "go through with it if it means anything to you.". "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" takes place in Spain as well. The man and the girl he calls Jig are lovers. The author of Hills Like White Elephants is Ernest Hemingway. The female is referred to simply as "the girl," and the male is simply called "the man." The author uses a lot of rhetorical devices to convey his message but mostly use imagery and symbolism. He is confident, persuasive, impatient, and frustrated with Jig's reluctance to have an abortion. There are also several indications that this isn't the first time the characters have discussed the issue, such as when the woman cuts the man off and completes his sentence in the following exchange: If it already seems obvious to you that "Hills Like White Elephants" is a story about abortion, you can skip this section. Jig has agreed, unhappily, to have the abortion when the two arrive in Madrid, and it is part of the mans attempt to keep Jig on board with this plan that he keeps assuring her that the procedure is a simple one, and that having it done will result in their relationship being unchanged. As he wrote in "Death in the Afternoon," "A writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing.". Freedom and choice are two additional related themes in "Hills like White Elephants." Alcoholic drinks also symbolize the couple's past together, as they reference drinking together before and Jig won't be able to do so (at least while pregnant) if she keeps the baby. They share the connotation of a "white elephant" object; in Hemingway's day, a "white elephant" was a metaphor for something you had that was hard or expensive to get rid of. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. What is "Hills Like White Elephants" About? You might consider the symbolism of the train tracks or the absinthe. The stakes are higher for the girl's decision, being away from home and with only one person she knows around. The girl seems torn between the two landscapes, not only commenting on the beauty of the hills but also physically walking to the end of the platform and gazing out at the brown emptiness around the station. Hemingway sets Hills Like White Elephants at a train station to highlight the fact that the relationship between the American man and the girl is at a crossroads. Contact us He is determined to convince the girl to have the operation but tries to appear as though he doesn't care what she does. Compare this narrative technique to the traditional nineteenth-century method of telling a story. Yes! Sustana, Catherine. English, 28.10.2019 17:29, . What is so important about the setting in "Hills Like White Elephants"? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. ThoughtCo, Jul. In this gender framework, the man makes the decisions and the female complies. Renews March 8, 2023 William Faulkner Biography & Books | Who was William Faulkner? "Hills Like White Elephants" does not tell a story in a traditional manner, and it has no plot. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. Evidence of the tensions in the relationship is shown at the storys beginning, as the couple await the arrival of a train and struggle to pass the time in conversation. Hemingway used this approach in much of his writing. He claims that she "know[s] how [he] get[s]." Latest answer posted October 17, 2020 at 10:39:34 AM. Please wait while we process your payment. Their luggage has "labels on them from all the hotels where they had spent nights." The only surprise is that they ever got together in the first place. "Hills Like White Elephants," written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927, is a short story that describes a seemingly casual, but slightly tense, conversation between a couple at a train station in the Ebro Valley in Spain. What she will ultimately do is beyond the scope of the story. It should always be hinted at, teased out, and symbolized more than stated. She maintains that he started the argument, then she slips into apology, stating that, of course, the mountains don't really look like white elephants only "their skin through the trees.". TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Please wait while we process your payment. The setting influences the story in some key ways: Even with such straightforward, unembellished writing, "Hills Like White Elephants" develops several different themes: The white elephants symbolize many things in this story. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Why is Jig given a name but not the American in "Hills Like White Elephants"? The frequently anthologized Hills Like White Elephants first printed in transition magazine in 1927 is often read and taught as a perfect illustration of Ernest Hemingway's minimalist, self-proclaimed "iceberg" style of writing: In much of Hemingway's fiction what is said in the story often is less important than what has not been said. The girl is the female companion of the storys other main character, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. In the short story, "Hills like White Elephants," by Ernest Hemingway, a woman named Jig and an American man our travelling to Spain for an Abortion. I feel fine. This final act of concealment and self-suppression suggests that this relationship, so representative of the traditional dynamic between men and women at the time,will remain stalled in its present unhealthy stateuntil it likely falls apart completely. Compared to the American, Hemingways overly masculine character, the girl is less assertive and persuasive. Hills Like White Elephants Dialogue Analysis 597 Words | 3 Pages. Throughout this work, the American presents Hemingway . for a group? Jig stares out. 20% In fact, the girl cant even order drinks from the bartender on her own without having to rely on the mans ability to speak Spanish. While they wait at the station, they drink beer and talk. The white hills and valley mirrors the choice the . Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. 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Discount, Discount Code Accessed 2 Mar. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Notice the symbolism later in the story when he carries their bags, covered with labels "from all the hotels where they had spent nights," to the other side of the tracks and deposits them there while he goes back into the bar, alone, to have another drink. The setting helps convey the theme. Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. This is symbolic of the choice that Jig faces: get the abortion and choose an empty life with the American, or choose to keep the baby. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." While stopped at a railway junction in northeastern Spain, these two - known as the American and the girl - are the only people who directly speak except for 'the woman' who brings them drinks. In addition, the popularity of this story can be found in the change in readers' expectations. (including. Latest answer posted September 06, 2020 at 7:53:04 PM. While the man's attitude seems bored and disinterested, both in their surroundings and in Jig's pregnancy, Jigs approach to both their surroundings and her pregnancy seems lively and imaginative. They argue back and forth a bit more, and the girl asks the man to stop talking. The female protagonist of the story. Momentarily silenced, the two drink their last beer before the American carries their bags to the platform in preparation for the train soon on its way. I know the marriage route," Howey told Us of the connection between his life and that of his character. This juxtaposition is n't explicit in the past, number of Pages other. This approach in much of his writing got together in the Hills across the valley Like! Less certain about it Elephants, and frustrated with Jig & # x27 ; s reluctance to an! Will ultimately do is beyond the scope of the story has been seen both as and. 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