Can we, however, assume something about them for example, is "the man" somewhat older and "the girl" perhaps younger, maybe eighteen or nineteen? They have been traveling around Europe together for a long time, judging from all the hotel labels on their luggage. William Faulkner Biography & Books | Who was William Faulkner? If the hills represent female fertility, swollen abdomen, and breasts, she could be suggesting that he is not the type of person ever to intentionally have a child. When the girl comments that the hills look like white elephants and the man says he's never seen one, she answers, "No, you wouldn't have." She attempts to paint a picture of the future life she and the man could have together if they were to have a child. Momentarily silenced, the two drink their last beer before the American carries their bags to the platform in preparation for the train soon on its way. They do not use the word abortion because that is understood. Compared to the American, Hemingway's overly masculine character, the girl is less assertive and persuasive. Jig. The man has employed a passive-aggressive approach to urging the woman, Jig, to go through with the procedure, subtly moving the action in his desired direction while attempting to place the burden of the decision on her. For the man, the White elephant represents some component that is extra of a burden, even though it is a blessing, it is then again unwanted. Judging by the conversation between the two characters, it seems she wants to keep the baby. Each choice Hemingway makes in the story, from the setting, to the drinks, to the specific conversational pathways the characters pursue, helps build the meaning of the story. They have clearly been in a romantic and sexual relationship, which has led to Jig being pregnant. Those who take the pro-feminist interpretation see Jig's last line as confirmation that she'll keep the baby; she's "fine" with her choice to ditch the man and the baby is not something "wrong with her" that needs to be fixed with a procedure. Miss Brill by Katherine Mansfield | Summary, Characters & Analysis, A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner | Ending, Analysis & Explanation, A Country Doctor by Franz Kafka | Summary & Analysis, A Municipal Report by O. 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Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" tells the story of a man and woman drinking beer and anise liqueur while they wait at a train station in Spain. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. "Hills Like White Elephants," written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927, is a short story that describes a seemingly casual, but slightly tense, conversation between a couple at a train station in the Ebro Valley in Spain. We know nothing about their backgrounds. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. The early editors returned it because they thought that it was a "sketch" or an "anecdote," not a short story. Free trial is available to new customers only. In Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants," Jig undergoes a transformation enabling her to realize and declare her own feelings. Also, they are breaking the law and doing it in a foreign country where they could get into even more serious trouble than they would at home. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Hemingway used the Iceberg Theory throughout his work, and especially so in "Hills Like White Elephants." $24.99 What is so important about the setting in "Hills Like White Elephants"? The story of "Hills Like White Elephants" takes place during a short conversation between an American man and a young woman (referred to as a "girl" throughout the story). In the story, the pregnancy is the white elephant: she's got it, and it'll be difficult to get rid of it. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. The procedure is never named, but from context clues it becomes clear that the man is trying to convince the girl to have an abortion. The man sees the baby primarily as a limit to his freedom, hence his insistence that they have the procedure. In contrast, we have no idea how to react to Hemingway's characters. Jig has agreed, unhappily, to have the abortion when the two arrive in Madrid, and it is part of the mans attempt to keep Jig on board with this plan that he keeps assuring her that the procedure is a simple one, and that having it done will result in their relationship being unchanged. succeed. And to answer this question, we must make note of one of the few details in the story: their luggage. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Please wait while we process your payment. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. eNotes Editorial, 15 Aug. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-is-the-relationship-between-the-two-357010. Sustana, Catherine. (one code per order). They look like white elephants, she said. When he says, "If you don't want to you don't have to. Even when the man maintains that he wants the girl to have an abortion only if she wants to have one, we question his sincerity and his honesty. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Hemingway used this approach in much of his writing. The tension between the two is almost as sizzling as the heat of the Spanish sun. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. The Woman (the Waitress) Character Timeline in Hills Like White Elephants The timeline below shows where the character The Woman (the Waitress) appears in Hills Like White Elephants. The Girl. Afterward, they will be off on new travels. What is only gradually revealed, however, is the immediate cause of that crisis. Refine any search. He assures her that he does love her "now" but that he is simply worried and preoccupied. Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is a very short story about a man and a girl (also known as "Jig") having a conversation at a train station. Far from being imaginative, the man is brusque and down-to-eartha man of few words, none of which are in the least bit memorable. 'They seem like white elephants . For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! At the story's beginning Jig is passive, unaware of her own feelings, and in the habit of looking to the American direction. You mustnt feel that way. I dont feel any way, the girl said. While stopped at a railway junction in northeastern Spain, these two - known as the American and the girl - are the only people who directly speak except for 'the woman' who brings them drinks. Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. Read a summary and analysis of Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants", including the story's characters, themes and setting. Because I dont care about me., And we could have all this, she said And we could have everything and every day we make it more impossible., What did you say? I said we could have everything. We can have everything. No, we cant., We can go everywhere. No, we cant. That hesitancy to confront the true issue pushes the story in the directions that it ultimately goes. But underneath the surface of "Hills Like White Elephants" there are hidden meanings, themes, and motives for each character. Rather, it's a way to build in more meaning through intentional use of detail, imagery, and plot events. For the man,it is not enough for her to do what he wants, but she must also want what he wants. Purchasing You might consider the symbolism of the train tracks or the absinthe. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Yes! Download the entire Hills Like White Elephants study guide as a printable PDF! Throughout the story, the girl appears helpless, confused, and indecisive. The Girl (Jig) Character Timeline in Hills Like White Elephants The timeline below shows where the character The Girl (Jig) appears in Hills Like White Elephants. An unnamed American man and a woman he calls Jig are involved, and she has become. I wouldn't have you do it if you didn't want to," he is not convincing. Finally, he claims that it's "just to let the air in," which implies abortion rather than any other optional procedure. Continue to start your free trial. Ian Matthews has taught composition, creative writing, and research at the college level for more than 5 years; he's also been an Instructional Designer for more than 3 years. He is confident, persuasive, impatient, and frustrated with Jig's reluctance to have an abortion. (2021, July 31). the Ebro a river in northeastern Spain; the second longest river in Spain. We could get along. Of course it does. The male protagonist of the story. The relationship between the two characters in "Hills Like White Elephants" is a romantic and sexual one. The setting of "Hills Like White Elephants" is the Valley of the Ebro in Spain, in the 1920s. And I know its perfectly simple., Would you do something for me now? Id do anything for you. Would you please please please please please please please stop talking?. The origin of the phrase is commonly traced to a practice in Siam (now Thailand) in which a king would bestow the gift of a white elephant on a member of his court who displeased him. This is symbolic of the choice that Jig faces: get the abortion and choose an empty life with the American, or choose to keep the baby. There were labels on them from all the hotels where they had spent nights. He claims that he wants her to have the operation because the pregnancy is 'the only thing that bothers us,' demonstrating that he's not actually concerned with her point of view at all. Wed love to have you back! Joshua holds a master's degree in Latin and has taught a variety of Classical literature and language courses. He translates for her, even now: Abortion involves only a doctor allowing "a little air in." Without a baby anchoring them down, they can continue to travel; they can "have everything." creating and saving your own notes as you read. The two characters in the storyan unnamed American man and a woman called "Jig"are involved romantically. She knows it could be a dangerous operation and feels sure it will destroy their relationship. This story was rejected by early editors and was ignored by anthologists until recently. The woman, a waitress at the train station bar, stands in contrast to the girl. 10th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, American Prose for 10th Grade: Homework Help, Hills Like White Elephants: Theme, Symbolism & Literary Analysis, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. The woman looks into the distance at the hills. Hills Like White Elephants Summary A n unnamed American man and a young woman named Jig wait for the train from Barcelona. First, it breaks the ice on an awkward conversation - it's just a simple observation to have something to say. He is determined to convince the girl to have the operation but tries to appear as though he doesnt care what she does. In part, some of the early rejection of this story lies in the fact that none of the editors who read it had any idea what was going on in the story. Contact us The girl says the hills look like white elephants for a couple reasons. They argue back and forth a bit more, and the girl asks the man to stop talking. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. What do you think caused the conflict between the main character in the hills like white elephants? There are no physical descriptions of either person or even of their clothing. Overall, the man in "Hills Like White Elephants" is a complex and troubling character, embodying a certain type of toxic masculinity that is all too familiar in contemporary society. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. At the end of Hills Like White Elephants, the man comes back from checking on the train and having a drink. One reason for assuming this bare-bones guesswork lies in tone of "the girl." for a customized plan. The "white elephants" is a play on the idea of a white elephant, something that a person has, but wants to get rid of even at great expense. The American never reveals his name, nor does the girl ever directly address him by name. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. When it was written, authors were expected to guide readers through a story. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. When Jig expresses her opinion that the surrounding hills look like white elephants, it's notable that the man's response is dour and phlegmatic. An abortion or $ 24.99/year as selected above `` now '' but that he does her... He does love her `` now '' but that he is confident,,! Ultimately goes a picture of the FREE TRIAL PERIOD there are no physical descriptions of person. Is only gradually revealed, however, is the immediate cause of that crisis Jig & # ;! 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