Exploring Hemingway's 'Iceberg Theory' in 'Hills Like White Elephants'

This essay provides a detailed critical analysis of Ernest Hemingway's short story, 'Hills Like White Elephants'. The essay examines the extensive use of symbolism within the narrative, including character names, setting descriptions, and the central theme of abortion. It explores how Hemingway'...Read More

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

2ADVANCED CRITICAL WRITING
and the other side the complete opposite that depicts her life in motherhood. The decision that
she makes has not been stated clearly but it can be assumed from the symbolic representation
that the author uses. She makes the decision while looking at the flowing river from the
mountains (Hemingway, pp 277)). It symbolizes life. It is probable that she has chosen
against the abortion which is further backed up by her last comment that there is nothing
wrong with her. The very title of the story is symbolical and reflects Hemingway’s idea if
Iceberg theory as a white elephant is a useless gift and the responsibility often causes ruin for
the receiver. The naming of the girl is also significant as it represents an immature and
dependable nature, just as she has been depicted. Though towards the end there is a
transformation of her character and she starts to think on her own and make decisions that
was not possible for her earlier.
From the above discussion it can be concluded that, the story Hills like White
Elephant, is a story that says all that it has to offer through symbolism and thus is aligned
with Hemingway’s theory of Iceberg. The story is rich in meaning the possible chances of
abortion makes is rather moral than emotional.

3ADVANCED CRITICAL WRITING
References
Darzikola, Shahla Sorkhabi. "The Iceberg Principle and the Portrait of Common People in
Hemingway's Works." English Language and Literature Studies 3.3 (2013): 8.
Hemingway, Ernest. "Hills Like White Elephants.” 1927." The Short Stories of Ernest
Hemingway (2016): 273-278.
Mays, Kelly J. The Norton introduction to literature. WW Norton & Company, 2015.
Paul, Steven, Gail Sinclair, and Steven Trout. "War+ Ink: New Perspectives on Ernest
Hemingway’s Early Life and Writings." (2014).
Weeks, Robert P. "Hemingway A Collection Of Critical Essays." (2013).