Analysis of Hills like White Elephants

Analysis of Hills like White Elephants
In the story by Ernest Hemingway “Hills like White Elephants”, several themes like
symbolism and feminism to intensify the central dilemma of the story. It is a story of a young
couple going through a tense situation regarding getting an abortion. This short essay is a
discussion between the two characters- ‘The American’ and a girl named ‘Jig’ for engaging the
audience. The female protagonist in the story is Jig and is pregnant with her partner. The male
antagonist is The American Man who does not want any part of a typical settled down life with
Jig. The couple has travelled around Europe with no future and no true home. The decision of
having a baby would completely change the nature of their relationship as they would have to
settle down. The woman sees a future with the man while the man does not want any changes in
his lifestyle. The man is not ready to embrace the new part in his life and he asserts his
dominance in convincing Jig for the operation (Hussein 713).
The story by Hemingway primarily relies on dialogue as the essay is mainly the
conversation between the couple thereby challenging the audience to discover the hidden
meaning. The character of the man is shown as selfish and irresponsible and lacks enough
support for Jig. According to Hemingway, Jig is shown as a romantic person living in an
emotional world. However, the American sees the life as rational and straightforward. These
themes are important in the modern society as far as abortion is concerned. In the story, the man
attempts Jig to get an abortion but the woman has mixed feelings about it (Cong 13).
The story begins by symbolizing the Ebro Valley which represents the fruitful life of Jig
and her boyfriend if they start a new life together. ‘The Railroad Junction’ symbolizes the
possibility of a change of direction in their lives (Lanier 280). The couple cannot stay at the train

station forever and need to arrive at a decision of what to do next. The American wants no part in
this new life and he tries his best to make Jig stop thinking about it. The American envisions a
happy future with his girlfriend filled with love but he also portrays that it was blocked by the
child. Hemingway’s representation of the characters portrays the man as insensitive regardless of
his sweet words. The time period of the story is not mentioned by the author but the location is
Spain. The two rail lines that passed the station give a hint to the couple that they only have two
directions to choose from. The couple is in the middle of making a difficult and drastic decision.
Hemingway uses symbolism in his story in which ‘Hills’ symbolizes the shape of a
pregnant woman’s belly. Also, Jig is facing issue like the ‘hills’ as it is hard to walk around
them. Hills may also symbolize stability as they are naturally occurring and immobile.
Regardless of Jig’s choice, her journey across the hills would be difficult before things get back
to ‘normal’. The ‘White Elephant’ is referred to the baby growing inside the womb of Jig. The
origin of the phrase ‘Hills like White Elephants’ is in Thailand where a king would gift a white
elephant to the member of his court who displeased him. The gift of a white elephant was an
honor as it was considered sacred. However, the expenditure on maintenance of a white elephant
would ruin the recipient and it would be considered as a burden. Therefore, when Jig stated that
the hills look like white elephants which the man had never seen, she answered "No, you
wouldn't have” (Hemingway 39). As the ‘hills’ represent the swollen abdomen, female fertility
and swollen breasts of a pregnant woman, she might be implying that The American is not a
person who would want a child. However, if the ‘white elephant’ is an unwanted gift, she might
be suggesting that the man never accepts the burden of the sacred gift. Therefore, the two
possible meanings of white elephant could be female fertility and unwanted items as the man can
cast off the burden of Jig’s pregnancy.

The American relates pregnancy as something that could not be left behind in the hotels
they have already stayed in. On the contrary, Jig believes that with a child ‘we could have
everything’. The story implies a journey of Jig’s initial resistance and her very strong statement
of ‘There’s nothing wrong with me’ (Hemmingway 44). The term abortion is not pointed out in
the story but it can be inferred from the story as the man convinces Jig to get the operation. Jig
asks the man, “But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and
you’ll like it? (Hemmingway 43)” In the midway of the story, it has been retracted that the girl
wishes to keep the baby and not have an abortion. The man tries to persuade her to get the
operation done and save their relationship. Hence, she asks her boyfriend if things would go to
the way they were if she undergoes an abortion. This state of desire to placate the man and her
indecisiveness shows the dependence on The American. Her helplessness is demonstrated in the
essay as she tells him that he is selfish and only cares about himself. They have a difficult time
communicating as they both are very different from one another.
The American was too desperate to convince Jig and assures her that everything will go
back to the way things used to be between them. The futility of the conversation can be analyzed
when he continually persists Jig, she begs him to “please please please please please please stop
talking” (Hemmingway 44). In the entire conversation, the American and Jig are drinking
alcohol while discussing the problems. When they arrive at the station, they start drinking large
drinks. Jig orders more drinks to avoid the inevitable conversation about the baby. Jig implies
that the couple can do nothing but try new drinks. Through this she implies that the new turn in
their lives would not be welcomed (Chandran 382).
Jig says, “Everything tastes like licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited so long
for, like absinthe” (Hemmingway 40). After having a sip of absinthe, Jig immediately puts back