Hills like white Elephants
"Hills like white elephants", by Ernest Hemingway, is a story that takes place at a train station where a couple is discussing a life decision. The story doesn't clearly state what the couple is arguing about, but one can guess through the author's symbolism that it is about whether to have an abortion or not. The author shows how men and women relate through life's choices and consequences as well as through doubt and uncertainty. The story relates to both the 1900's as well as modern times. There is a lot of symbolism the author portrays using scenery to interpret most of the story in relation to the characters. One of the main characters, Jig, attempts to make a crucial change in her life by trying to figure out what the right decision maybe, and how it will affect their lives. She struggles to choose between her present life versus her possible future life. The story starts off by the American trying to convince the woman to have a abortion which will mostly free him of any responsibilities. The woman wants a long term relationship with the man she loves, and she believes the baby might make that happen for her. However, the man believes the baby is the problem, and this is made clear when he states: "That's the only thing that bothers us. It's the only thing that has made us unhappy" (Roberts 345). "What should we drink?" (Roberts 344) The man decides to order beer, even though knowing the woman is pregnant, instead of ordering a non alcoholic drink he decides perhaps a alcohol drink will make the woman decide to have an abortion. Even though the man knows nothing about abortion he tries to convince the woman "it's perfectly simple" (Roberts 345).
The author uses scenery throughout the story to describe the different lives. The different sceneries which divide the rail road tracks contrast a symbol for the couple’s decision. The brown and dry barren scenery symbolizes the choice to have an abortion, while the river flows and...