Hills like White Elephants

Hills Like White Elephants

Many couples face decisions which lead to disagreements. Most times these disagreements lead to hasty decisions. It is a viscous cycle. Ernest Hemmingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" exhibits one couples disagreement about abortion which has an underlying theme of cynicism and disingenuousness (Clugston, 2010).

The theme of "Hills Like White Elephants" is complex and cannot be described by using just one word. As stated before there is an underlying theme of cynicism and disingenuousness, but I find that there is also a theme of bewilderment and confusion. The girl in the story is unsure of what to do. On one hand she wants to make the American happy, on the other hand she isn't sure if she will be happy with her decision. She never states this, but it is in her tone. It is clear that the man in the story is sure if what he wants; his own happiness.

The tone of a story is the feeling the author is trying to portray. In "Hills Like White Elephants" the underlying tone is restlessness and impatience. The girl in the short story is undeniably nervous about having an abortion. The man in the story is trying to be persuasive but is growing impatient. He keeps telling her that "it isn't a big deal and he knows people who have had it done and they are fine" (Clugston, 2010). Tone is very important in "Hills Like White Elephants."

The point of view in literature is how the story is told. Point of view is told in different ways to increase or decrease the dramatic effect (Clugston, 2010). "Hills Like White Elephants" is told from the objective point of view. An objective point of view takes a bag seat stance. It does not delve into how the characters feel but states basic information about the setting who the characters are. In "Hills Like White Elephants" taking an objective point of view works. It is almost as if Ernest Hemmingway wanted the reader to pick up on what the conversation between the man and the women was about without the outright explaining it.

The plot in "Hills Like White Elephants" is about a couple who is having a passive aggressive conversation about abortion. The girl is trying to decide what to do and the man is trying to convince her. The plot is not clear until the man starts speaking of an operation. This is an epiphany. An epiphany is the moment when you realize what is being conveyed (Clugston, 2010).

The symbolism in "Hills Like White Elephants" is abundant. They are waiting at a rail station, in which there are only two ways to go. This symbolizes the choice the girl has to make. I believe the white elephants themselves are a symbol of the birth of a child. Giving birth is an amazing experience just as it would be to see a white elephant.

The tone, point of view, plot, and symbolism contribute to