Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway | Summary & Analysis

Summary

Ernest Hemingway's short story 'Hills Like White Elephants' unfolds at a train station in 1920s Spain, where an American man and his girlfriend, Jig, grapple with a tense conversation about an impending abortion. As they order drinks and observe the landscape, their dialogue reveals deep emotional conflict, underscoring themes of gender communication and the complexities of love. The title's symbolic hills resemble both pregnant bellies and burdensome realities, reflecting the couple's struggle with their relationship's future. Hemingway's nuanced storytelling encourages readers to explore the implications of choice and societal expectations surrounding parenthood.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The setting of Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants' is a train station in northern Spain during the mid-1920s, symbolizing a crossroads in the couple's relationship.
• 🍺 The American man and his girlfriend, Jig, engage in conversation while waiting for their train, revealing underlying tensions in their relationship.
• 🌄 The imagery of the hills resembling white elephants serves as a symbol for the girl's pregnancy, representing both rarity and the burdensome nature of their situation.
• 🍼 The story hints at an abortion through a veiled conversation, with the man trying to persuade Jig to undergo the procedure while downplaying its significance.
• 😔 Jig expresses her discomfort with the proposed operation, highlighting her emotional turmoil and desire for autonomy in the decision-making process.
• 🔄 The narrative explores themes of gender communication, illustrating how the couple's differing perspectives shape their dialogue and emotional responses.
• 🛤️ The train station symbolizes potential life paths, with the couple waiting for a train that could lead to motherhood or continued freedom.
• 🥂 Alcohol serves as a motif in their relationship, representing both a temporary escape and the underlying issues they face.
• 🕊️ The absence of the term 'abortion' underscores the sensitivity of the topic and the couple's struggle to communicate openly about it.
• ⚖️ The story reflects Hemingway's complex attitudes toward parenthood and relationships, shaped by his own experiences with pregnancy and abortion.

Q & A

What is the setting of 'Hills Like White Elephants'?

The story takes place in the mid-1920s at a train station in northern Spain, specifically along the Ebro River between Barcelona and Madrid.

What are the main characters in the story?

The main characters are an American man and a girl named Jig, along with a waitress who has a minimal role.

What operation is implied in the conversation between the American and Jig?

The conversation strongly implies that the operation being discussed is an abortion, though the term is never explicitly mentioned.

How does Jig view the hills compared to the American's perspective?

Jig sees the hills as resembling white elephants, which symbolizes something rare and precious, while the American's focus is on persuading her to consider an abortion.

What symbolism is associated with the term 'white elephants' in the story?

White elephants symbolize both the beauty and burden of Jig's pregnancy, representing an unwanted gift that brings complications to their relationship.

How does Hemingway explore the theme of gender in the story?

Hemingway highlights the differences in communication and emotional responses between the male and female characters, showcasing the American's rationality against Jig's emotional turmoil regarding the pregnancy.

What does the beaded curtain represent in the narrative?

The beaded curtain symbolizes both a barrier between the couple's emotional states and a source of comfort for Jig, reminiscent of a rosary used for prayer.

What is the significance of the train station setting?

The train station serves as a metaphorical crossroads for the couple, symbolizing the choices they face regarding parenthood and the direction of their relationship.

How does the conversation evolve between the characters during the story?

The conversation shifts from casual discussions about drinks to a tense debate about the abortion, revealing their emotional distance and conflicting desires.

What is the ultimate resolution of the story?

In the resolution, Jig smiles at the American after he asks if she feels better, suggesting a temporary reconciliation, but her smile leaves ambiguity about her true feelings and intentions.