In "Hills Like White Elephants: The Jilting Of Jig," Nilofer Hashmi explores the many different layers of symbolism, the role of the American male, and the possible outcomes of the story. The use of symbolism is great in this story; therefore Hashmi uses the words of many critics to get through the various layers that the symbolism poses. Hashmi uses Doris Lanier 's argument for support in his article. Lanier states, "everything in the story contributes in some way to the meaning" (Hashmi 74). Hashmi continues to state that the symbolism in the title might shed a light on the outcome of the story. Hashmi also makes a point to highlight the powerful role that the male is given in this story. He pays special attention to the dialogue between the American and Jig and the balance of power that is exposed. Hashmi concludes that as a reader one must see every object as symbolizing the greater theme of the story.
Hashmi begins his article by trying to define the meaning behind the use of the title "Hills like white elephants." For Hashmi the hills "appear to symbolize the glimmering hope, remote yet real like the hills themselves, that her sexual relationship with the man might change the solid relationship of family and permanence" (Hashmi75). Paul Smith For the white hills represent, "the dream of a family" in the other hand they could also represent the "harsh stifling of the dream, manifested by the American 's cold response" (Hashmi 75). Hashmi uses Dante 's rhetorical theory on how we should read literature through the concept of layers to uncover the true meaning in the story.
Hashmi continues the article with the problem of open interpretation that arises because Hemingway gives no clear closure to the story. According to Hashmi there could only be three possible out comes in the story: 1. "Jig will have an abortion and stay with the American 2. Jig will have an abortion and leave the
Cited: Hishma, Nilofer. " Hills Like White Elephants: The Jilting Of Jig." The Hemingway Review Vol. 23 (Fall 2003): p 72-83. Link, Alex. " Staking Everything On It: A Stylistic Analysis of Linguistic Patterns in "Hills Like White Elephants" The Hemingway Review Vol. 23 (Spring 2004): p 67-73.