Moving to the Girl’s Side of “Hills Like White Elephants
Moving to the Girl’s Side of “Hills like White Elephants” Stanley Renner
In his article “Moving to the Girls Side of “Hills like White Elephants””, published in 1995, Renner discusses an alternative conclusion that can be made through analyzing “Hills”. He believes that most critics have not paid enough “attention to the development of the female character” (27). Also, he suggests that Jig has been “underestimated considerably” (27). It is clear that a decision has been made by the end of the story, but it does not plainly say what. The reader must use the minimal information provided to interpret what they think happens. Hemmingway only provides this minimal information in order for the reader to be able to come to their own conclusions. In “Hills”, the majorities of critics have interpreted this information and have decided that the girl gives in to the American and has the abortion. Through close looking of the story, it is more likely that the woman refused to have an abortion and the American “acquiesces” (27) to her desires. Renner‘s analysis is both a valid and extremely interesting way of seeing this story. He effectively relates his reasons for being on “the girl’s side” to the reader with well used examples from the primary text.
Renner begins his article with highlighting the importance of the setting in “Hills” in relationship to the girls “development” (28). The setting serves as one of the few ways to see her as she develops. One of the most important elements of the setting is the two “lines of rails” (28) and the trains going on them will be heading in different directions. On one side of these tracks is the “barren” side, the other is thriving with life. The American and the girl start out looking to the barren side. Renner accurately discusses how the two sides of the tracks represent the problem itself. The barren side is related to abortion, and the side that has living things is related to the giving of birth. The barren side
In his article “Moving to the Girls Side of “Hills like White Elephants””, published in 1995, Renner discusses an alternative conclusion that can be made through analyzing “Hills”. He believes that most critics have not paid enough “attention to the development of the female character” (27). Also, he suggests that Jig has been “underestimated considerably” (27). It is clear that a decision has been made by the end of the story, but it does not plainly say what. The reader must use the minimal information provided to interpret what they think happens. Hemmingway only provides this minimal information in order for the reader to be able to come to their own conclusions. In “Hills”, the majorities of critics have interpreted this information and have decided that the girl gives in to the American and has the abortion. Through close looking of the story, it is more likely that the woman refused to have an abortion and the American “acquiesces” (27) to her desires. Renner‘s analysis is both a valid and extremely interesting way of seeing this story. He effectively relates his reasons for being on “the girl’s side” to the reader with well used examples from the primary text.
Renner begins his article with highlighting the importance of the setting in “Hills” in relationship to the girls “development” (28). The setting serves as one of the few ways to see her as she develops. One of the most important elements of the setting is the two “lines of rails” (28) and the trains going on them will be heading in different directions. On one side of these tracks is the “barren” side, the other is thriving with life. The American and the girl start out looking to the barren side. Renner accurately discusses how the two sides of the tracks represent the problem itself. The barren side is related to abortion, and the side that has living things is related to the giving of birth. The barren side