Hills Like White Elephants
After reading the story “Hills Like White Elephants” there are many possibilities as to what will come of the American man and his girlfriend. Throughout the story the two characters seem to dance around each other. This stems from the issue that they have an underlying problem that festers because of a lack of communication.
Although, we are never able to hear the couple speak about their issue in a very meaningful way, we are still able to assume where the problem may lie. Throughout the story the girlfriend shows her inability to express her thoughts, feelings or opinions to persons in her life, For example: when the bartender speaks in Spanish or when she is asked if she would like to order her drink with or without water. She even changes her mind about something as simple as her attraction to the surrounding hills. Her extreme indecisiveness causes her to be completely reliant on her husband’s opinion and knowledge. When the discussion of the girlfriends operation is brought up, the couple seems to abstain from engaging in the conversation. This again shows the girlfriends indecisiveness towards what she wants. This translates into as something as serious as possibly having an abortion. As an example, “I think it’s the best thing to do. But I don’t want you to do it if you don’t really want to.” “And if I do it you’ll be happy and things will be like they were and you’ll love me?” (225) this dialogue between the couple shows that immediately after she hears her boyfriend’s opinion, she thinks they will be better off after the procedure. She wants nothing more than to follow through with the abortion in order to please her boyfriend.
I am troubled by the fact that the girlfriend really believes an abortion will be the solution to the couple’s problems, and that she believes that her decision will strengthen their relationship and make them happier. I am convinced that with the indirect control the American man has over his girlfriend that the she could
Although, we are never able to hear the couple speak about their issue in a very meaningful way, we are still able to assume where the problem may lie. Throughout the story the girlfriend shows her inability to express her thoughts, feelings or opinions to persons in her life, For example: when the bartender speaks in Spanish or when she is asked if she would like to order her drink with or without water. She even changes her mind about something as simple as her attraction to the surrounding hills. Her extreme indecisiveness causes her to be completely reliant on her husband’s opinion and knowledge. When the discussion of the girlfriends operation is brought up, the couple seems to abstain from engaging in the conversation. This again shows the girlfriends indecisiveness towards what she wants. This translates into as something as serious as possibly having an abortion. As an example, “I think it’s the best thing to do. But I don’t want you to do it if you don’t really want to.” “And if I do it you’ll be happy and things will be like they were and you’ll love me?” (225) this dialogue between the couple shows that immediately after she hears her boyfriend’s opinion, she thinks they will be better off after the procedure. She wants nothing more than to follow through with the abortion in order to please her boyfriend.
I am troubled by the fact that the girlfriend really believes an abortion will be the solution to the couple’s problems, and that she believes that her decision will strengthen their relationship and make them happier. I am convinced that with the indirect control the American man has over his girlfriend that the she could