Hills Like White Elephants By Ernest Hemingway: An Analysis
In the short story “Hills Like White Elephants”, Ernest Hemingway writes about a young girl, Jig, and a man, also known as “the American”, who find themselves in a very complicated situation. In the story, the young girl is pregnant with “the American’s” child and he is trying to convince her to have the simple operation that will rid them of the only thing that is harming their happiness. Throughout the writing it seems as if Jig is somewhat hesitant to go through with the operation and the man is doing what he can to convince her that going through with the procedure is what is best for the both of them. In the short story, Ernest Hemingway portrays a battle of power during the interactions of two people as they debate a serious topic. The
story starts off with Jig and the American waiting at the station for their train. While waiting they sit and discuss the operation that is going to take place. When they are talking you get a sense of discomfort coming from the young girl, as if she is not sure that this is something that she really wants to do. The American reassures her that it is nothing to worry about and that it is very simple and once it is over they will be able to continue on with their lives. The way that the man is constantly trying to reassure her shows that Jig is the one who has the most power in the situation. The American knows that if she decides to back out and not follow through with the plan, then the baby will be born, and their lives will never be the same. While discussing the procedure the young girl seems to only be going along with it for the sake of her relationship with the American. At one point in the conversation Jig says, “And if I do it you’ll be happy and things will be like they were before and you’ll love me?” (2) this statement shows that Jig is not actually thinking about what would make her happy or comfortable, but what will keep the man happy and ensure that he continues to love her. Not only does this show that the girl is not necessarily thinking of herself, but that she understands that she is the one that gets to make the final decision and she is the one that controls what the end result is going to be.
story starts off with Jig and the American waiting at the station for their train. While waiting they sit and discuss the operation that is going to take place. When they are talking you get a sense of discomfort coming from the young girl, as if she is not sure that this is something that she really wants to do. The American reassures her that it is nothing to worry about and that it is very simple and once it is over they will be able to continue on with their lives. The way that the man is constantly trying to reassure her shows that Jig is the one who has the most power in the situation. The American knows that if she decides to back out and not follow through with the plan, then the baby will be born, and their lives will never be the same. While discussing the procedure the young girl seems to only be going along with it for the sake of her relationship with the American. At one point in the conversation Jig says, “And if I do it you’ll be happy and things will be like they were before and you’ll love me?” (2) this statement shows that Jig is not actually thinking about what would make her happy or comfortable, but what will keep the man happy and ensure that he continues to love her. Not only does this show that the girl is not necessarily thinking of herself, but that she understands that she is the one that gets to make the final decision and she is the one that controls what the end result is going to be.