Hills Like White Elephants Literary Analysis

The story “Hills like White Elephants” is written by Ernest Hemingway. It is about Jig’s (the main character) struggle with abortion. Jig had recently found out that she was pregnant. She begins to wonder what strain this will put on her relationship. She looks to her boyfriend for the answer. He never gives clear consent for her to go through the procedure. Jig did not have the abortion. The theme is of the story is abortion.
The two characters in the short story have to make the decision whether or not Jig should have an abortion. Jig has a heavy heart but a cheerful exterior. Jig is in a tough spot. She feels like she needs to take charge of the situation, but she is unsure what she wants. Jig is afraid that her lover will no longer have feelings for her, even if she does have the abortion. She has also become finically dependent on him. Jig questions him throughout the story about what decision is best for them and their free lifestyle. She knows that she might regret having the operation. Jig sees the hills as lovely. This can symbolize the hope that their relationship will turn into something permeant like family. Jig isn’t happy with her new lifestyle. “That’s all we do isn’t it? Look at things and try new drinks.”
Jig’s lover wants her to have the abortion.
He has become used to their lifestyle. He is unsure what impact that the baby will have on their relationship. Even though the man knows he got Jig pregnant, he tries to put it back on her. He tries to persuade her to go through with abortion so he won’t have to deal with it. He doesn’t see it as being wrong. He states that having the abortion is “an awfully simple operation” (71). He knows that they will never be fine. “It’s not just the dream that Jig has, it’s now her that he finds irritating.” He only wanted Jig for a partner for fun. He was never interested in a permeant relationship. He is ready for her to have the abortion so he can leave
her.
Toward the end of the story, Jig begins to say there’s nothing wrong with her. Even though she says this, she is not fine. She knows that even if she has the operation that there’s a chance her lover could still leave her. She knows she lost the argument. Jig has to decide what action to take. She is willing to sacrifice it all just to save their relationship. Is she going to be a loving mother, or is being a mother something she really wants? Ultimately, whatever choice she makes is one she will have to deal with forever.
According to Hashmi, all critics agree that no matter what choice Jig makes, the American will still leave her. Their conversations in the story shows the connection between them. They have been disputing the decisions for weeks.
The main theme of “Hills like White Elephants” is abortion. Jig and her lover have found themselves in a situation. Jig is unsure what she really wants. She feels like it is her duty to raise the child because she is the mother. On the other hand, Jig’s lover is skeptical on how the arrival of a child will affect their free lifestyle. He has left her with this burden on her. Abortion is difficult for anyone to talk about. It is a very controversial decision that will follow Jig for the rest of her life, if she goes through with it.