Elements of Hemingway
Lisa Cearfoss
ENG125: Introduction to Literature
Instructor: Alessandra Cusimano
March 18, 2013
Theme and Elements 2. As we mature, we come to realize that there are decisions we make and they are not always easy ones. Symbolism can tell us as much about a story than the actual explanation in clear words. You have to pay attention to what you are reading and things will make sense. In the story, “Hills Like White Elephants,” Hemingway uses intricate detail in how the story is told. The theme of the story, “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway (1927) is that the girl, Jig says that she is fine when in reality she is struggling with a decision of whether or not to get the abortion. She wants the American man to love her no matter what decision she make, but she wants the baby and it is obvious in her sarcasm throughout the story. Another reference to the theme is that of the distant hills that look like white elephants, which symbolizes that the girl really wants to escape from her troublesome decision and just have things back to the way they were before she was put in this position to have to contemplate such a life altering decision she is about to make. She feels trapped by consequential outcomes of either side of the decision to get the abortion or not to get it. “Every story narrows a broad underlying idea, shapes it in a unique way, and makes the underlying idea concrete.” Clugston, R. W. (2010).
References: Clugston, R. W. (2010) Introduction to Literature. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education Inc. Retrieved from http://content.ashford.edu/books/ENG125 Justice, H. K. (1998). ‘Well, Well, Well.’ Cross-gendered Autobiography and the manuscript of “Hills Like White Elephants.” Hemingway Review, 18(1), 17. Retrieved from: web.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu Weeks Jr., L. E. (1980). HEMINGWAY HILLS: SYMBOLISM IN “HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS.” Studies In Short Fiction, 17(1), 75. Retrieved from: Web.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu