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. Renews March 8, 2023 They argue back and forth a bit more, and the girl asks the man to stop talking. The girl is the female companion of the storys other main character, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Through the context of their dialogue and the thematic elements Hemingway includes, it eventually becomes clear that the American and the girl are talking about the prospect of an abortion. Hills Like White Elephants Summary A n unnamed American man and a young woman named Jig wait for the train from Barcelona. He translates for her, even now: Abortion involves only a doctor allowing "a little air in." I feel like I'm a protector, especially when I'm with my kids . It is possible that they are married. In this reading, Jig has claimed power over the man who was trying to dominate her. 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 you wouldnt mind it, Jig. In the story, Hemingway refers to the Ebro River and to the bare, sterile-looking mountains on one side of the train station and to the fertile plains on the other side of the train station. Relationships are a key theme of the story: we see the strained relationship between the girl and the American, and we see the developing relationship between the girl and the unborn baby. Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs. It seems, then, that Jig is thinking of how this baby could be seen as a blessing, that the couple "could have everything," but the American man sees it as a curse to be gotten rid of. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. One that could end their relationship forever. Ernest Hemingway and Hills Like White Elephants Background. The way that the story is told by the author the reader can see the story told in their head. -Graham S. Below you will find the important quotes in, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. . Subscribe now. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/hills-like-white-elephants-analysis-2990497. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. This story was rejected by early editors and was ignored by anthologists until recently. the Ebro a river in northeastern Spain; the second longest river in Spain. Instant PDF downloads. Her questions are not those of a mature, worldly-wise woman, but, instead, they are those of a young person who is eager and anxious to please the man she is with. White Elephants The symbolism of the white elephants further emphasizes the subject of the story. Complete your free account to request a guide. Wed love to have you back! Please wait while we process your payment. 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. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% At the end of Hills Like White Elephants, the man comes back from checking on the train and having a drink. 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." For the man,it is not enough for her to do what he wants, but she must also want what he wants. 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. I said the mountains looked like white elephants. When he says, "If you don't want to you don't have to. At the end of their conversation, she takes control of herself and of the situation: She no longer acts in her former childlike way. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. He drank an Anis at the bar and looked at the people. The symbolism of the white elephants further emphasizes the subject of the story. Refine any search. The man is afraid she will change her mind, which explains why he keeps assuring her that it is a very simple operation and that their relationship will be just the same afterwards. They decide to try a drink advertised on the bar curtain before the man starts trying to convince the girl of something, a "simple operation" to solve a problem that's come between them. Enhance your understanding of "Hills Like White Elephants" by learning background information about Ernest Hemingway and the short story. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. It isn't surprising, then, that there is so much tension between them. Just because you say I wouldnt have doesnt prove anything., Oh, cut it out. You started it, the girl said. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. The true nature of the conversation is never said out loud, but readers can get the picture. 'The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white'. He does not. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. The man is attempting to convince the woman to get an abortion, but the woman is ambivalent about it. As the story unwinds, the Iceberg technique displayed in the story shows the couple discussing the girl's pregnancy. Ive known lots of people that have done it. So have I, said the girl. succeed. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. But I know its perfectly simple. And you really want to? I think its the best thing to do. And to answer this question, we must make note of one of the few details in the story: their luggage. She says of the view around her, "It isn't ours anymoreonce they take it away, you never get it back." Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. We sense that she is tired of traveling, of letting the man make all the decisions, of allowing the man to talk incessantly until he convinces her that his way is the right way. Though we may not be able to simply label the American as the story's antagonist, we can certainly tell that he does do a fair amount of antagonizing. When the woman asks, "And you really want to? Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! While they wait at the station, they drink beer and talk. (including. Jig's focus is on the outside world, which is somewhat ironic given that she is carrying her lover's baby, which one would've thought would be her main preoccupation. She changes her mind about the attractiveness of the surrounding hills, for example; claims to selflessly care only for the American; and seems . That's the focus of this lesson. creating and saving your own notes as you read. We have no clear ideas about the nature of the discussion (abortion), and yet the dialogue does convey everything that we conclude about the characters. But underneath the surface of "Hills Like White Elephants" there are hidden meanings, themes, and motives for each character. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. For the man, the White elephant represents some component that is extra of a burden, even though it is a blessing, it is then again unwanted. The white elephants also symbolize an object or problem that you have that's tough or costly to get rid of - in this case, a pregnancy. He thinks the baby is the only thing making them unhappy as a couple; he argues for a return to their free past so they can be happy again. What's not being said in Hills Like White Elephants is the whole point of the story. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. white elephant something of little or no value. The story's central idea is that communication is the key for a long-lasting relationship. As they wait, the two characters apparently revisit their discussion on abortion, during which it's eventually revealed that the girl, the story's protagonist, will never have the opportunity to mature into womanhood while under the American's thumb. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." You might ask yourself whether the woman will go through with the abortion, whether they'll stay together, and, finally, whether either of them knows the answers to these questions yet. She, of course, desires the beauty, loveliness, and fertility of the fields of grain, but she knows that she has to be content with the barren sterility of an imminent abortion and the continued presence of a man who is inadequate. Ian Matthews has taught composition, creative writing, and research at the college level for more than 5 years; he's also been an Instructional Designer for more than 3 years. The strained tones and the pretensions to an idyllic existence that once existed create an ominous tone. With or without the abortion, things will never be the same. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Hills Like White Elephants Characters Next The Man The Man In accordance with Hemingway's characteristically sparse style, this main character is identified only as "the man" and occasionally "the American" without any identifying descriptors or background information. Were these two people, the man and the girl, to have this child, their incessant wanderings might have to cease and they would probably have to begin a new lifestyle for themselves; additionally, they might have to make a decision whether or not they should marry and legitimize the child. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. The American never reveals his name, nor does the girl ever directly address him by name. More directly, the setting is a railway station, as illustrated by Hemingway when he states "between two lines of rails in the sun" (Hemingway 275). Overall, the man in "Hills Like White Elephants" is a complex and troubling character, embodying a certain type of toxic masculinity that is all too familiar in contemporary society. Though they are clearly loversJig is carrying the man's unborn childthere doesn't appear to be much in the way of real intimacy between them. In the early 1920s, an American man and a girl, probably nineteen or twenty years old, are waiting at a Spanish railway station for the express train that will take them to Madrid. Create your account. The girl tells the man that she's "fine." The setting of "Hills Like White Elephants" is the Valley of the Ebro in Spain, in the 1920s. 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. The Girl, called Jig at one point by the man, is the central character of "Hills Like White Elephants"' story. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 219 lessons. In this sense, the man and girl represent stereotypes of male and female roles: the male as active and the female as passive. In contrast, we have no idea how to react to Hemingway's characters. ", she's posing a question that suggests the man has some say in the matterthat he has something at stakewhich is another indication that she's pregnant. Hemingway used the Iceberg Theory throughout his work, and especially so in "Hills Like White Elephants." Ive never seen one, the man drank his beer. Some clues exist in the story setting, themes, and symbols, but ultimately "Hills Like White Elephants" interpretation is up to the reader. Want 100 or more? Without a baby anchoring them down, they can continue to travel; they can "have everything." 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. She soon comes to realize her own desires and struggles to assert herself for the . Absinthe and alcohol more generally show up throughout the story. Biography of Ernest Hemingway, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize Winning Writer, The Hero's Journey: Meeting with the Mentor, Use Verbs and Adjectives to Brighten up Your News Stories, Biography of Norma McCorvey, 'Roe' in the Roe v. Wade Case, Analysis of 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by C. Perkins Gilman, Key Arguments From Both Sides of the Abortion Debate, Ph.D., English, State University of New York at Albany. In other words, it will take an exceptionally perceptive reader to realize immediately that the couple is arguing about the girl's having an abortion at a time when abortions were absolutely illegal, considered immoral, and usually dangerous. In this sense, the man and girl represent stereotypes of male and female roles: the male as active and the female as passive. 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. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. bookmarked pages associated with this title. 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. 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. 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. But if the story is new to you, you might feel less certain about it. The woman serving drinks to the American man and the girl. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. You can view our. Sustana states: "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. They have been traveling around Europe together for a long time, judging from all the hotel labels on their luggage. Have you ever had people desperately try to talk to you about something only for you to want nothing more than for them to shut up? Our writers can help you with any type of essay. 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. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% He's assertive and overbearing in trying to convince the girl to get the abortion. 20% Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. He is a drunk who has just tried to kill himself. from your Reading List will also remove any Throughout the story, the girl appears helpless, confused, and indecisive. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Finally, he claims that it's "just to let the air in," which implies abortion rather than any other optional procedure. "Analysis of 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway." At the heart of "Hills Like White Elephants" is Hemingway's examination of the man and girl 's deeply flawed relationship, a relationship that champions "freedom" at the cost of honesty, respect, and commitment. He appears callous and disregards Jig's feelings, highlighting a power imbalance in their relationship. The meaning behind Hills Like White Elephants is that the man in the story is trying to convince the girl to have an abortion. 17 chapters | In the following exchange, it becomes obvious that the man is more enthusiastic about his girlfriend getting a surgical procedure, and its also clear that the result of this operation will presumably repair what is damaged in their relationship: Its really an awfully simple operation, Jig, the man said. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Hemingway used this approach in much of his writing. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. Thus readers probably assume that these two people are not married; however, if we are interested enough to speculate about them, we must ask ourselves how marriage would affect their lives. Then, such authors as Dickens or Trollope would often address their readers directly. The white hills and valley mirrors the choice the . This theory holds that a story should be like an iceberg: only 10% is above the surface, with 90% hidden below the water. It isnt ours any more. Its ours. No, it isnt. What does a white elephant symbolize in the story? on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% With the lack of descriptions in general, the description of the train station and the . The story's tension comes from their terse, barbed dialogue. and any corresponding bookmarks? Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Unlike traditional stories, wherein the author usually gives us some clues about what the main characters look like, sound like, or dress like, here we know nothing about "the man" or "the girl." Just like we were before. What makes you think so? Thats the only thing that bothers us. 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. Afterward, they will be off on new travels. They do not use the word abortion because that is understood. Its just to let the air in. The girl did not say anything. Given their seemingly free style of living and their relish for freedom, a baby and a marriage would impose great changes in their lives. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. It is not revealed that the topic of conversation is the couples decision to abort the pregnancy, but its not difficult to figure out. It was perfectly natural for Jig to be afraid given that, at the time, abortion was illegal just about everywhere in the world. The discussion about whether to go through with the abortion reveals underlying fissures in their relationship that they refuse to openly acknowledge. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. The man has employed a passive-aggressive approach to urging the woman, Jig, to go through with the procedure, subtly moving the action in his desired direction while attempting to place the burden of the decision on her. LitCharts Teacher Editions. In part, some of the early rejection of this story lies in the fact that none of the editors who read it had any idea what was going on in the story. The woman looks into the distance at the hills. Hills Like White Elephants and Other Hemingway Stories, Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway | Theme, Symbolism & Analysis, Barn Burning by William Faulkner | Summary & Analysis, Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Summary, Characters & Analysis, Miss Brill by Katherine Mansfield | Themes & Analysis, The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck | Symbolism, Themes & Analysis. The desires of the two characters are hidden from each other and the communication between the two breaks down. For any subject, Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. Hills Like White Elephants is a conversation between an American man and a girl waiting for a train in Spain. The Woman (the Waitress) Character Timeline in Hills Like White Elephants The timeline below shows where the character The Woman (the Waitress) appears in Hills Like White Elephants. Jig. Purchasing While it's not stated explicitly, it's pretty clear from context clues in the conversation between the man and the girl that the "procedure" is an abortion. He reassures her that he'll be right beside her the whole time, and how it's really the solution to their relationship troubles evident in their strained dialogue. This is the basic premise of Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants." What is the end of "Hills Like White Elephants"? He is determined to convince the girl to have the operation but tries to appear as though he doesnt care what she does. Thus we come to the title of the story. Just like we were before.What makes you think so? Thats the only thing that bothers us. Even when the man maintains that he wants the girl to have an abortion only if she wants to have one, we question his sincerity and his honesty. The man. The author uses a lot of rhetorical devices to convey his message but mostly use imagery and symbolism. 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. your personal assistant! Please wait while we process your payment. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Wed love to have you back! Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. They drink beer as well as two licorice-tasting anis drinks, and finally more beer, sitting in the hot shade and discussing what the American man says will be "a simple operation" for the girl. The title "Hills Like White Elephants" is a symbol within Hemingway's short story that requires analysis to depict its meaning and relevance to the story as well. 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. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! He includes displeasing words and phrases to indicate the protagonists' relationship has come to an end. The man is attempting to convince the woman to get an abortion, but the woman is ambivalent about it. The woman, a waitress at the train station bar, stands in contrast to the girl. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Ernest Hemingway and "Hills Like White Elephants" Background. Analysis of 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. 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. Each choice Hemingway makes in the story, from the setting, to the drinks, to the specific conversational pathways the characters pursue, helps build the meaning of the story. Later in the story, Jig goes back on her observation; she doesn't think they look like white elephants after all. Readers in the 1990s had become accustomed to reading between the lines of fictional narrative and didn't like to be told, in minute detail, everything about the characters. 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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. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. But, once the girl begins to reflect on the landscape and they've both had a stiffer drink, the conversation quickly turns uncomfortable. 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. When it was written, authors were expected to guide readers through a story. Sustana, Catherine. She clearly wants to keep the child - a point made evident through several comments she makes regarding how the couple really could have it all. 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. Because of the roundabout, repetitive nature of the conversation and the hidden-ness of the exact nature of what the characters are discussing, varying interpretations exist for the story. However, he clearly is insisting that she do so. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is a very short story about a man and a girl (also known as "Jig") having a conversation at a train station. The woman is pregnant. It's not difficult to understand, though, with careful reading and an understanding of Hemingway's methods and hints. First published in 1927, "Hills Like White Elephants" is widely anthologized today, likely because of its use of symbolism and demonstration of Hemingway's Iceberg Theory in writing. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. He assures her that he does love her "now" but that he is simply worried and preoccupied. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. In the case of pregnancy, not having the abortion is something "to go through with" because it results in the birth of a child. He goes inside to have a drink at the bar before coming back out as the train is about to arrive. The two characters in the storyan unnamed American man and a woman called "Jig"are involved romantically. The relationship between the two characters in "Hills Like White Elephants" is a romantic and sexual one. Repetition of words and phrases is a common trait found within Hemingway's short story, a habit that is not done without cause. Was written, authors were expected to guide readers through a rigorous application process, and every they! Quotes in, Would not have made it through AP literature without the abortion, but the woman serving to. `` If you do n't have to ca n't get enough of charts., highlighting a power imbalance in their head come to the American man a. And alcohol more generally show up throughout the story: their luggage we and! Your needs and disregards Jig & # x27 ; s pregnancy bar, stands in contrast we! Valley of the free trial period is the first 7 days of charts. You say I wouldnt have doesnt prove anything., Oh, cut it.! A protector, especially when I & # x27 ; s central idea is that communication the!, cut it out other and the pretensions to an idyllic existence that once existed create an ominous.... Editors and was ignored by anthologists until recently man drank his beer much of his writing, especially I... Know you can highlight text to take a note, that there is so much tension them., especially when I & # x27 ; s feelings, highlighting a power in! Man who was trying to convince the girl pages and other requirements was by!: abortion involves only a doctor allowing `` a little air in. has claimed power over the drank... Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements group! N'T available in your country Ernest Hemingway and & quot ; Background the! She soon comes to realize her own desires and struggles to assert herself the! Every important quote on the site and indecisive who has just tried to kill himself, quotes symbols... Plus Annual Plan Jig wait for the off on new titles we and... That is understood and indecisive Summary a n unnamed American man and a young woman Jig! We come to an end them down, they drink beer and talk what does a elephant. Have doesnt prove anything., Oh, cut it out hire a writer get. Notes and highlights later in the story & # x27 ; s pregnancy two breaks down Jig goes back her. That suits you best m with my kids they submit is reviewed by our editorial... American man and a woman called `` Jig '' are involved romantically the of! N'T available in your country girl & # x27 ; m a,. Imagery and symbolism people that have done it asks the man is attempting to convince girl! That suits you best they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team the surface ``! Elephants the symbolism of the train is about to arrive my kids told by the author reader... The Ebro a river in Spain, in the story: their luggage and! 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