Hills Like White Elephants Narrative Analysis

Narration is what allows us to grasp every action and detail in a story. Although authors are usually expected to guide readers through a book, Ernest Hemingway in Hills Like White Elephants decided to narrate his story in journalistic fashion. The story being told in an objective narrative format allowed for imagination and assumptions. The story being told in third person point of view which is objective, never allows us into the minds of the characters. We are only given minimal background and specifics. Though not much is offered, we can analyze various moments in the narration that contributes and shapes to the meaning of the story. In the beginning of the story we are given little detail about the setting. The narrator only offers insight
Yet looking closely, we can see how the girl has changed her perspective. Her intentions seem to be completely different than the man. We can assume that the couple have not settled down because of the girls statement about what they do, “That’s all we do, isn’t it- look at things and try new drinks”(116). We can also suggest that they travel quite frequently when the narrator claims, “He did not say anything but looked at the bags against the wall of the station. There were labels on them from all the hotels where they had spent nights”(118). Through the remarks of the girl we can assume that by keeping this baby instead aborting would allow her to settle down with the man. She also began to stand up for herself as she repeatedly tells the man if he can please stop talking. Hills Like White Elephant is a story that is narrated with very little detail. The subject of the couples argument is never given yet we are able to find out through the writing. This goes on with the whole story as we must dig deeper to see the hidden clues that Hemingway has left us with. Though this narration is very limited, we are able to analyze sections to strengthen the meaning of the