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An Analysis of Theme in Ernest Hemingway s Hills s Like White Elephants Ernest Hemingway s Hills Like White Elephants is a fascinating story, set at a train station at Zaragosa, Spain. This story first appeared in a short story collection titled Men Without Women, which was published in 1927. In this story, we eavesdrop on a conversation held by the American and the girl with him (170). In their dialogue, conflict is created as the characters face what most readers believe to be the obstacle of unexpected pregnancy. This is assumed through symbolism and the titles meaning. The term white elephant was used in the Swing era, and usually stood for an unwanted gift.
The birth of a child, when unexpected could then be seen as a white elephant. This story touches on an issue most people are very familiar with: Communication problems in a relationship. Although the couple in the story are talking, they seem unable to convey their differing opinions to each other. The theme is established throughout the story, but the reader first notices the trouble in the couple s conversation in line 11, when the girl says that the hills look like white elephants (170). For the first time we sense sarcasm in the man s response to this statement, and also a defensive. We see the girl s weakness and her inability to express herself later in the story when the couple are discussing the operation.
Both of the characters have specific lines in the story where it is apparent that they have major communication problems. At the beginning of this story, the girl points out that the hills look like white elephants, but the male coldly responds that he wouldn t know. Her response, No you wouldn t have (170) is returned with a snap, just because you say I wouldn t have doesn t prove anything (170). This seems to be the first introduction of conflict in Hemingway s story. The girl is pondering her unborn child, and dealing with the emotional pain that brings, and she knows that he can not understand, so she doesn t talk about it. The girl is quick to look away and change the conversation.
It is at this time they decide to get beer, which ironically is extremely unhealthy for the baby. After they get their drinks, the girl states It tastes like licorice (171). The man replies with That s the way with everything, (171) and the couple end up in their first argument of the story. Although it is not talked about what they are upset over, it is obvious that she is anxious about having an abortion, and the argument is not simply over liquor tasting like licorice. The girl s weakness and inability to express herself are shown clearly in lines 28 through 44. When the conversation shifts and the man brings up the operation (abortion) her reaction is described: The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on [and]...
did not say anything (171). The girl fails to state her opinion, illustrating a clear breakdown in communication among the two. She doesn t ever state that she wants to keep the baby, although it is hinted when she states that once they take it away, you never get it back (172). She seems to merely agree with what he has to say, and she never stands up for herself, as seen in lines such as this: Then I ll do it. Because I don t care about me (172).
The girl is giving in to his pressure at this point of the story. She says that she is going to go through with the abortion and that everything will be fine, and he tells her that she doesn t have to do it (172). After this is said the girls walks off and when she returns a conversation begins about having everything. The girl says that they could have everything and everyday (they) make it more impossible (172).
The man s response is that they really could have everything, but the girl refuses to agree. This seems to the climax of the story, where the reader becomes fully aware of the communication problem and how the girl feels about the operation. The girl avoids confrontation and refuses to express herself, or her opinions. This was very apparent when the girl tells the man Please please please please please please please stop talking (173). Hemingway uses the girl s denial of self-expression to assure the reader that the her weak and dependant nature prevents her from verbally expressing her point of view. Even the use of character terms, such as the American and the girl (170) reinforce this effect.
It is apparent that the girl doesn t want to have an abortion, but it is also apparent that the man does. The fact that the man is claiming the decision is up to her is simply stated because he wants to convince her that everything will be okay when she goes through with it. He wants her to think that nothing will change, when in her eyes everything will be different. The relationship the two characters have is doomed for failure because neither of them can express themselves clearly to one another. They both seem to be avoiding the obvious, and as the girl stated, their relationship seems to revolve around looking at things and trying new drinks (171). Hemingway did a magnificent job in the writing of this story, and besides the main message that there needs to be complete and full communication in a relationship for it to work, there is a distinct feeling of isolation and loneliness in the story as well.
This feeling is portrayed in the fast paced, back and forth conversation between his American male character and his female friend. There is no point in this story where the reader can relax and get to know the characters. Thus, readers may feel alienated due to this and the pace of the story. In the end of the story the girl wises up to the fact that the talking is getting them nowhere and she asks him to stop. To relieve the tension the man leaves, providing Hemingway with a point in which loneliness is rewarded as a virtue instead of a hindrance.
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Research essay sample on Hills Like White Elephants Ernest Hemingway
