Symbolism in Hills like White Elephant

Running head: ADVANCED CRITICAL WRITING
Advanced Critical Writing
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1ADVANCED CRITICAL WRITING
Earnest Hemingway was a believer of the idea, ‘less is more’ (Paul, Sinclair, &
Trout). Depending on this concept, he introduced the ‘Iceberg Theory” where he explains that
the artistry of a true writer remains with his ability to present the facts, thoughts and ideas in
a limited but symbolic way so that the visible part though small has great impact and is able
to implicate the whole of the matter (Darzikola). In this study, the symbolic representations
used by Hemingway in Hills like White Elephant will be analyzed to determine the extent to
which Hemingway has followed his own theory in the story, will also be evaluated.
Hills like White Elephant is from the beginning till the end is full of symbolism. The
story opens with an American and a Girl accompanying him to a Spanish county side bar
before they start their journey to Madrid. Throughout the story, the couple is seen to be
drinking heavily which indicates that the matter that troubles them is serious and they are
trying to avoid the subject and the following consequences (Weeks). The naming of the
characters are also symbolic. The main male character has been addressed as the man or the
American. The man represents the traditional masculinity of American culture. Rash,
adventurous and self-centered. He is insensitive and harsh in nature. Though he repeatedly
assures the girl that she would not have to do anything she doesn’t want to, he relentlessly
manipulates and persuades the girl to do his bidding. The main topic that is discussed through
the story is the consideration of abortion. The man wants the procedure to be done and
projects it as simple and inconsequential. The girl seems to be in continuous oscillation
between the two decisions. Though, it is true, that the decision lies with her, she wants to go
through the procedure only to make the man happy as she claims that she does not care about
her, only their life together and that the man loves her like he did now (Mays). She knows
that once she makes the decision, nothing will be same again despite the man’s reassurances.
Her dilemma is symbolically presented through the contrasting representation of nature at the
two opposite sides. One side is dry and infertile like the possibility of her life after abortion