The Symbolism in “The Hills Like White Elephants” by...

â€Å"The Hills Like White Elephants† is a short story that is about an American man and a girl called Jig. They are sitting at a table outside a train station, waiting for a train to Madrid. While they wait they order drinks and have a heated ongoing conversation over whether or not Jig will have an operation that would be of great significance to their relationship. â€Å"The Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway has two important symbols in the story, the hills and the drinks both of which help to give us a better understanding of what is going on between the American and his girl. The story begins with a vivid description of a train station surrounded by hills and fields. This scene tells us a lot about the couples situation.†¦show more content†¦The girl remarks that she and the American man never do anything together except try new drinks. This can represent that their relationship is boring and mundane which seems to bother the girl. The se feelings can reflect that girl may be ready for change and a chance to settle down, unlike the man who doesnt seem interested in changing his carefree ways. She also asks the man permission for a drink and has to rely on him to order the drinks because of her inability to speak Spanish. She appears disappointed that she is so dependent on the man and no matter what her decision may be, their relationship will no longer be the same. After trying the new drink she replies that â€Å"Everything tastes like licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited so long for like absinthe† (Hemingway 655). Another symbolism that Jig is now feeling bittersweet about the decision because she may want to have the baby, but the mans decision is to have the abortion. At the end of their conversation, both are drinking alone, the girl at the table and the man at the bar which can imply that their relationship my end by them going their separate ways. â€Å"The Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway has many symbolisms throughout the story. Two important symbols, the hills and the drinks give the reader insight into the intentions and emotions the American man and the girl are going through as they are faced with a majorShow MoreRelated Symbolism in Hills Like White Elephants, by Ernest Hemingway1687 Words   |  7 Pagesare incorporated into the story by the author. Ernest Hemingway frequently uses various literary elements in his writing to entice the reader and enhance each piece that he writes. In Hills Like White Elephants, Hemingway uses symbols to teach the reader certain things that one may encounter during daily life. Symbolism may be defined as relating to, using, or proceeding by means of symbols (Princeton). The use o f symbols in Hills Like White Elephants is utterly important to the plot line and to theRead MoreSymbolism In Hills Like White Elephants By Ernest Hemingway844 Words   |  4 Pages In Ernest Hemingway’s short story â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† I noticed the characters drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is notoriously known for its ‘cure-all or drink until you forget why you started’ abilities. Therefore, I wanted to start with Hills Like White Elephants. When Hemingway first eases the readers into the story, he talks about a junction where a man and woman are waiting for their train. While at this junction, both parties are continuously throwing back beer afterRead MoreSymbolism In Hills Like White Elephants By Ernest Hemingway992 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1927, Ernest Hemingway penned a short story titled, â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants.† The story takes place at a train station in Spain and depicts a troublesome dilemma for the two main characters. 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In Ernest Hemingways short story Hills Like White Elephants, Hemingway uses a plethora of symbols to convey the idea that the young girl, Jig is ambivalent to having an abortion and that her older American boyfriend does not want to have the babyRead MoreCritical Analysis of the Short Story ‘Hills Like White El ephants’ by Ernest Hemingway.1497 Words   |  6 Pagesshort story ‘Hills like White Elephants’ by Ernest Hemingway. Word Count: 1367 Hills like White Elephants – Ernest Hemingway â€Å"Will Jig have the abortion and stay with the man; will Jig have the abortion and leave the man; or will Jig not have the abortion and win the man over to her point of view?† (Hashmi, N, 2003). These are the three different scenarios that have been seriously considered in Ernest Hemingway’s short story, â€Å"Hills like White Elephants†. 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Other devices used by Hemingway throughout this story include imagery, simile, excellent syntax, and a very tense and emotional tone. In the beginning of the story, the American and Jig sit outside of the trainRead More`` Hills Like White Elephants `` By Ernest Hemingway1750 Words   |  7 PagesErnest Hemingway’s stories are known for their ever interpreting meanings behind them, and â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† does not trail from the rest due to the never mentioned word ‘abortion’. â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† written by Ernest Hemingway, takes place around World War 1 in Spain, at a train station (Hills Like White Elephants. 4). An American man and a girl have been discussi ng the girl’s unspecific operation. It is apparent that the girl is perturbed about this operation, while theRead MoreErnest Hemingway s Hills Like White Elephants952 Words   |  4 PagesErnest Hemingway, a well-known American writer, was born in Cicero, Illinois, in 1899. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† was written in 1927, the short story is about a young couple, located at a train station somewhere in Spain, who throughout the story are having a verbal argument about an unnamed operation. The reader can quickly figure out that the operation the two main characters, the American and Jig, are discussing is an abortion. Ernest Hemingway’sRead MoreCompare/Contrast: A Good Man Is Hard to Find with Hills Like White Elephants917 Words   |  4 PagesCompare/Contrast: Good Man with Hills Currently, a plethora of outstanding stories have been written. What makes a story, though? The answer is the elements that the author includes into his or her writing, such as symbolism and imagery. Hills like White Elephants, written by Ernest Hemingway, and A Good Man is Hard to Find, written by Flannery OConnor, are just two examples of admirable work. Each writer incorporated plenty of elements to improve the story. 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