Hills Like White Elephants Essay

Throughout his work “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway uses symbolism and condensed metaphors to sensationalize the power, yet subtleness of the main theme: happiness. While the title does not blatantly represent the characters pursuit of happiness, the simile used in the title does epitomize Hemingway’s writing style as well as the diverse use of symbolism throughout the narrative. Hemingway uses this symbolism to convey the unspoken thoughts and emotions of the characters and the ultimate decision made to begin her journey on the pursuit of happiness. The roots of the title, the hills, are sporadically mentioned within the first seven lines of the narrative. The hills foreshadow the lack of respect and communication in the characters relationship and allows the reader to recognize their unhappiness; “The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees and the station was between tow lines of rails in the sun.” Hemingway presents the reader with imagery of two hills; one of the hills “[has] no shade and no trees” while the other has “fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro river” (Lines 1-2). The
opposition of the hills is reflective of the pastime and current tone of the relationship between the characters; once what is said to be a “happy” relationship now turned to turmoil. The train track situated between the hills is representative of the crossroad that lies between the American, the woman, and their ultimate destination – happiness.
“The girl was looking off at the line of hills. They were white in the sun and the country was brown and dry” (Line 7). The hills are symbolic of a barrier; they are the communicational and emotional barriers manifested in the relationship of the American and Jig. The hills are a woman’s gravid uterus, the source of their discussion, and the basis of the blockage in their relationship. The imagery of the hills forces the reader to make connections early in the narrative; both the man and woman are unable to see past this obstacle, and instead of joining as one when life requires it most, they allow this hindrance to impact the love and respect factor that should be not only present, but vibrant in their relationship. They are desperately searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, the channel to their happiness, however they are unable to find it. “They look like white elephants,” she said. /
“I’ve never seen one,” the man drank his beer. /
“No, you wouldn’t have.” /
“I might have,” the man said, “Just because you say I wouldn’t have doesn’t prove anything.”
The white elephants Jig visualizes symbolize “a burdensome or costly possession considered to be without use or value” (Oxford Dictionary). Throughout the narrative, Jig seems reluctant to undergo the “operation” to terminate her pregnancy, however she seems to be willing to conform to the wishes of the man in order to regain happiness. The American persistently reminds her that “[They’ll] be fine afterward. Just like [they] were before.” Jig questions his thinking, and he replies, “That’s the only thing that bothers us. It’s the only thing that’s made us unhappy.” Clearly the American sees this unwanted child as bothersome, an unnecessary complication that has brought tension and distress to his life. This dialogue reiterates that each character is searching for happiness, however the ways in which they seek to achieve it differ drastically.
Upon their arrival to the junction, the American places the orders and decides he and Jig will drink in an attempt to fill their mouths with anything but words. While at the bar, the two make small talk and speak in short sentences without much detail. The ambiguous chatter between the two represents the indecisiveness of Jig, which peaks while at this last stop before reaching Madrid. Both the American and Jig seem sure that the decision whether to undergo the operation will determine their happiness, however the withdrawn emotion between them forces the reader to question if this operation will provide the map to their destination. Hemingway uses the foundation of their relationship he established to create dialogue to reveal the ultimatum of the “operation” without clearly stating the woman’s decision***.
While at the bar, the American orders two ‘Anis del Toro’, a Spanish alcoholic beverage that “tastes like licorice” (Line 24). Licorice is a sweet, childhood candy as well as an ingredient used in medicine to induce vomiting. Anis del Toro translates to ‘the bull’s anise’. The bull is known as a symbol of animal fertility; its horns symbolize strength, masculinity, and life. Anise is a flowering plant that is used by women to increase milk flow when nursing, to start menstruation, and ease childbirth (WebMD). These metaphors act as a reference to the ups and downs of pregnancy and foreshadow Jig’s
decision.
Toward the conclusion of the narrative, while gazing at the hills Jig notes, “They’re lovely hills. They don’t really look like white elephants.” Jig’s newfound observation symbolizes a new outlook on the “hills”, an affirmative attitude toward the beauty of pregnancy and childbearing and possibly her first step on the path to her happiness. While waiting for the train the American asked Jig how she was feeling; she replied, “I feel fine. There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine.” The plainspoken, stunted dialogue used in Jig’s final response to the American reveals not only her decision to do what brings her bliss, but also the deeper transformation she has undergone while waiting for the express to Madrid. Through this work Ernest Hemingway uses brief dialogue overflowing with metaphors as an expression of the obstacles we must overcome to find what it is we are truly looking for.

Works Cited
"Anise." WebMD. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version, 2005. Web.
2013.
Hemingway, Ernest. “Hills Like White Elephants.” Men Without Women. 1927.