Introduction
“Hills Like White Elephants” is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway. The story takes place in a train station in Spain, where an American man and a woman are waiting for their train and having a conversation about a crucial issue in their relationship. The story is considered to be one of Hemingway’s most famous works and is known for its use of minimalism, dialogue, and symbolism. The major symbols in the story are the hills and the white elephants.
Main Body
The symbols are significant because they represent the tension between the American man and the woman and the decision they are trying to make. The hills symbolize the uncertain future that the couple is facing. The hills are described as “long and white,” which could represent the couple’s dilemma as being vast and indefinite (Hemingway 229).
The white color symbolizes purity, which could represent the couple’s desire to start fresh and clean, or it could represent the idea that their relationship is at risk of being corrupted. When the woman says, “They look like white elephants,” she is indicating that the hills are not what they seem, just like their relationship is not what it appears to be (Hemingway 229). The hills are a metaphor for the couple’s future and the uncertainty they face.
The white elephants symbolize the unplanned pregnancy that the couple is discussing. The girl says, “And we could have all this … and we could have everything, and every day we make it more impossible” (Hemingway 231). The comment could be interpreted as a reference to the relationship, where a child could have been a new addition to the couple. However, the reality of the situation is that the unplanned pregnancy is a burden, and the couple’s relationship is already strained.
On the one hand, they see the potential for a new life and new possibilities. On the other hand, the burden of an unplanned pregnancy and the strain it puts on their relationship is making it increasingly difficult for them to move forward. The white elephants symbolize the couple’s dilemma, as they represent both the potential for a new beginning and the difficulties they face in realizing that potential.
White elephants are considered to be a burden and are associated with negative connotations such as waste and inefficiency. The American man is trying to convince the woman to have an abortion while she is unsure about what she wants to do. The white elephants in this scenario serve as a visual representation of the couple’s dilemma and the weight of the decision they must make. The man is pushing for an abortion while the woman is still unsure, adding to the pressure and uncertainty of the situation. The white elephants symbolize not only the pregnancy itself but the potential outcome of the couple’s decision and the impact it will have on their lives.
The conversation between the American man and the woman is symbolic. The dialogue between the characters is sparse, with only brief comments and short sentences, which creates an atmosphere of tension and unease. Dialogue is used to suggest the underlying emotions and thoughts of the characters (Hemingway 231). The lack of dialogue reflects the couple’s unwillingness to communicate with each other openly and directly about the issue at hand.
The dialogue highlights the power dynamic between the American man and the woman, with the man taking a more dominant role in the conversation. Another minor symbol in the story is the beer and the glasses. The beer is described as “nice” and “cool,” which could represent the couple’s desire for a resolution to their problem (Hemingway 230). The glasses symbolize the couple’s struggle to make a decision, as they represent a barrier between the couple and their communication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the symbols in “Hills Like White Elephants” work together to enhance the reader’s understanding and connection to the theme of the story. The hills, the white elephants, the dialogue, and the beer and glasses all represent the tension and uncertainty in the relationship between the American man and the woman.
The symbols serve as a metaphor for the couple’s dilemma and the decision they must make. The use of symbolism in the story allows the reader to understand the underlying emotions and thoughts of the characters, as well as the themes of uncertainty, decision-making, and communication.
Work Cited
Hemingway, Ernest. Hills Like White Elephants. Men Without Women, 1927.