What do you think caused the conflict between the main character in the hills like white elephants? The setting helps convey the theme. He claims that he wants her to have the operation because the pregnancy is 'the only thing that bothers us,' demonstrating that he's not actually concerned with her point of view at all. We can consider the girl the protagonist of 'Hills Like White Elephants' because her point of view is the one most clearly established. What does the name Jig mean in "Hills Like White Elephants" and why does he call her that? ThoughtCo, Jul. She changes her mind about the attractiveness of the surrounding hills, for example; claims to selflessly care only for the American; and seems . When it was written, authors were expected to guide readers through a story. 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. At the end of their conversation, she takes control of herself and of the situation: She no longer acts in her former childlike way. Readers have the sense that the decision will be made by the time the train comes, one way or another. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. At fewer than 1,500 words, "Hills Like White Elephants" exemplifies this theory through its brevity and the noticeable absence of the word "abortion," even though that is clearly the main subject of the story. Renews March 8, 2023 Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. 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). 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. I just know things., All right. The unwanted pregnancy is only the immediate or near-term cause of tensions between the man and woman; the longer-term, underlying cause the elephant in the room if one wants to be quaint is the fact of a relationship seemingly built on superficial attractions that conceals the absence of a deeper emotional commitment. succeed. 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. 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. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! She also realizes that she is not loved, at least not unconditionally. He promises to stay with her the whole time and that they'll be happy afterward because "that's the only thing that bothers us.". 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. 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. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. In addition, the popularity of this story can be found in the change in readers' expectations. In practice, this means that the true meaning of a story should never be stated directly. Consider the contrast between the hot, dry side of the valley and the more fertile "fields of grain." Everything in the story indicates that the man definitely wants the girl to have an abortion. But underneath the surface of "Hills Like White Elephants" there are hidden meanings, themes, and motives for each character. She is pregnant and conflicted about whether to have the operation. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Create your account. 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. 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. Download the entire Hills Like White Elephants study guide as a printable PDF! March 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 The exact topic of their conversation isn't revealed, but from context clues and symbols readers can deduce that Jig is pregnant, and the man is trying to convince her to have an abortion. Jig is referred to as a "girl" throughout the story, even though she is obviously a contemporary of the man. You'll also receive an email with the link. Teachers and parents! The man is attempting to convince the woman to get an abortion, but the woman is ambivalent about it. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! 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. 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. Had Hemingway said that the girl, for example, spoke "sarcastically," or "bitterly," or "angrily," or that she was "puzzled" or "indifferent," or if we were told that the man spoke with "an air of superiority," we could more easily come to terms with these characters. This makes sense in the context of the hills that she says look like "white elephants," as well as the title of the story. They argue back and forth a bit more, and the girl asks the man to stop talking. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% The man connects with her as he orders the drinks, but they aren't attached. 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. He has become her guide and her guardian. Then what will we do afterward? Well be fine afterward. Compare this narrative technique to the traditional nineteenth-century method of telling a story. The two possible meanings of white elephantsfemale fertility and cast-off itemscome together here because, as a man, he will never become pregnant himself and can cast off the responsibility of her pregnancy. SparkNotes PLUS 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. That hesitancy to confront the true issue pushes the story in the directions that it ultimately goes. It was published later that year as part of Hemingway's short story collection Men Without Women. She speaks with him sarcastically and sadly, wishing that they could have the whole world; they can't, in her view, because "they" will take it away. Jig and her lover are clearly on completely different wavelengths. In other words, he does not get inside the two main. The characters never directly say that they're talking about pregnancy and abortion, but that's the heart of their conversation and the entire story. Ernest Hemingway and Hills Like White Elephants Background. Finally, the man asserts that "I don't want anybody but you. Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is an excellent example of the Iceberg Theory of fiction writing, also known as the "theory of omission." Welcome to " Hills Like White Elephants ." This little story is notorious for packing an outsized punch: it's read in countless classrooms in countless universities and high schools, contained in countless "Best Short Stories Ever"-type anthologies, and prompts countless readers to doubt the following truths universally acknowledged: Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. At the heart of Hills Like White Elephants is Hemingways examination of the man and girls deeply flawed relationship, a relationship that champions freedom at the cost of honesty, respect, and commitment. 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. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. But if the story is new to you, you might feel less certain about it. The Girl. 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