In literature, often times, authors use a certain image or collection of images in order to produce a particular effect, eliciting a response from the reader’s senses. Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” utilizes the imagery of the train station in order to produce the effect of transition between the characters, both in terms of physical location and emotional mindset. Much like Hemingway, James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” takes a similar approach, using Sonny’s passion for music to expose his deeper insecurities. Often, when people think of the functions of train, they simply view them as modes of transport. But, in literature, this does not appear to be the case, as trains can be used to create a means of escapism for the characters …show more content…
The train station setting is essential in creating the idea of two pathways diverging, each character given the decision to choose their path in both this conversation and where that will lead them. If Jig chooses to carry out the surgery and board the train with her American man, she can live a life that she describes as being “nice again” (Hemingway 591), as the American man will once again be happy and love her. But, if she chooses to not carry out the surgery, it appears as though she is given an ultimatum, and will be led on the other train, figuratively speaking. If Jig chooses to not carry out with the surgery, the American man implies that he will be too worried, as the cause for the operation is “the only thing that’s made us unhappy” (Hemingway 590). As a result, the two will most likely part ways, as they do not have the same ideas about their future. The train station illustrates the growing disconnect between the characters, as they do not wish to carry out the same journey throughout their lives, as the American man is insistent that life will change drastically for the worse if Jig does not carry out the surgery, as he will be unable to love her without …show more content…
This is apparent when the two are discussing Sonny’s prospects for the future, and the narrator is struggling to understand how Sonny will survive as a musician. Sonny responds, helplessly, trying to explain to his brother why he wishes to play with jazz musicians. To this, the narrator notes that “the word had never before sounded as heavy, as real, as it sounded that afternoon in Sonny’s mouth” (Baldwin 50). Through this, it can be seen that music showcases a deeper internal battle for Sonny, as he struggles to explain his passions to the narrator, unable to come up with a plan for the rest of his life that appears valid to his older
In a well-written short story, different literary elements and terms are 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 of symbols in Hills Like White Elephants is utterly important to the plot line and to the fundamental meaning of the story. Through this use of symbolism, the reader can begin to reveal the hidden themes in this short story.
Conflict is opposition between two forces, and it may be external or internal,” (Barker). There are two styles of external conflict that can be examined within the plot of “Sonny’s Blues”. The first of these is character versus society. This is the outer layer of the external conflict observed between Sonny and the society, which his life is out casted from. The meat and potatoes of the external conflict however, is character versus character. Sonny lives a lifestyle that his brother seems to be incapable of understanding. The internal conflict lies within the narrator. It is his struggle to understand his brother that drives the plot. The climax occurs when Sonny and the narrator argue in the apartment. The argument stems from the narrators complete inability to understand Sonny’s drug usage and life as a musician, and Sonny’s feeling of abandonment and inability to make his brother understand him. This conflict appears to come to a resolve at the resolution as the narrator orders Sonny a drink following hearing Sonny perform for the first time. It appears as though this is the moment when the narrator begins to understand, perhaps for the first time, his brother the
Baldwin executed a well written short story by making the point of view through the eyes of Sonny’s brother. The setting made the story realistic, and the themes were powerful and influential. Though Sonny had struggles in life along with the rest of the family, he is able to redeem himself through his music. “Sonny’s fingers filled the air with life, his life. But that life contained so many others. And Sonny went all the way back, he really began to make it his.”
Throughout the story, the narrator learns how important it is to Sonny for him to care and listen to him. Sonny is vulnerable and in a state where he is getting into trouble with drugs and alcohol perhaps because he feels as though no one cares enough to help him. The narrator lives his life as a teacher while Sonny spends his days using drugs hoping someday to pursue his dreams of music. Both characters end up in a place they are meant to be; acting as family and leaning on each other for support, which is the true importance of an older brother.
Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills like White Elephants” tells the tale of a man and a woman, who at first might seem to be having a normal and rather dull conversation at a train station, but it is only when you look closer into what is actually being said by the characters and find the small clues that Hemingway cleverly knit into the story, that you realize how heavy the conversation actually is. Unlike many authors, Hemingway leaves it to the reader to delve deeper into the story and decipher the situation for themselves, and a seemingly simple story can become something so much more. The woman in the story is contemplating whether to stick to the life she knows or begin a brand new chapter in her life that could change her relationship with the man forever. Sometimes one’s true intentions are not always clear.
The narrator's disapproval of Sonny's decision to become a musician stems in part from his view of musicians in general. His experiences with musicians have led him to believe that they are unmotivated, drug users, seeking only escape from life. He does not really understand what motivates Sonny to play music until the afternoon before he accompanies Sonny to his performance at a club in Harlem. That afternoon, Sonny explains to him that music is his voice, his way of expressing his suffering and releasing his pent-up feelings.
What is the meaning of love? Many people believe in love at first sight, and this number seemingly goes down, as some people simply don’t find love at first sight or second and so on. Love may not be finding the absolute perfect relationship but what one can say is perfect in their eyes. The feeling that is strung along with this is complete disappointment. In Ernest Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants, the feeling of disappointment is felt throughout the audience, as the reader learns of the situational struggle and the extremely uncomfortable topic of the unborn baby sitting with them at the restaurant.
At this point, Sonny talked to his brother about his passion in music but he discouraged him. According to his brother, “ I simply couldn't see why on earth he'd want to spend his time hanging around nightclubs, clowning around on bandstands, while people pushed each other around a dance floor. It seemed- beneath him”. Sonny tried to convince him this is the only thing he can do and he can make a living at music but he asked him to continue his education. Staying with brother's in-laws was a bitter experience for him due to their doctrine nature. When his stay ended up, his feelings are expressed in the story as, “they penetrated his cloud,they had reached him. Even if their fingers had been a thousand times more gentle than human's fingers ever are, he could hardly help feeling that they had stripped him naked and were spitting on that nakedness”. Music, which was life or death for him was torture for them and they have endured it just for his brother's
James Baldwin is a renowned author best known for his work of essays, books and short stories, particularly those which dwell deeply into important social and psychological issues of discrimination, gender inequality, homophobia and so on. One of Mr. Baldwin's most appreciated literary works is the short story 'Sonny's Blues' which focuses on two brothers who grew up together but take different paths in life. The story follows the narrator learning about his brother Sonny's incarceration due to the use and selling of drugs until his brother gets parole. Throughout the story, we learn about the relationship between the pair and are able to witness the narrators ultimate understanding of Sonny and his ambition. As we continue to observe the
Music is a thread throughout the story. In the boys’ childhood, Sonny always loved to play piano; to him that was a way of escaping his environment. Music for Sonny was a way of expressing himself and interpreting the world. Sometimes Sonny felt when he was staying at his older brother’s house, his brother’s wife did not understand Sonny’s mode of communication. This refusal forces him into the streets. When Sonny plays music that’s how he blocks out the world that doesn’t understand him and his passion.
Ernest Hemingway is an incredible writer, known for what he leaves out of stories not for what he tells. His main emphasis in Hills Like White Elephants seems to be symbolism. Symbolism is the art or practice of using symbols, especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations (merriam-webster.com). He uses this technique to emphasize the importance of ideas, once again suggesting that he leaves out the important details of the story by symbolizing their meaning.
This issue becomes a conflict for the two siblings that grows tension among each other. Sonny expresses to the narrator that he wants to become a jazz musician. For example, the narrator explains, “It seemed- beneath him, somehow. I had never thought about it before, had never been force to, but I suppose I had always putt jazz musicians in a class with what Daddy called “good-time people” (pg. 86). In my opinion I think the narrator feels appalled that his brother wants to become a jazz musician because he thinks of them as people who hang around clubs and clown around. Both siblings don’t see eye to eye, the narrator sees it as Sonny wasting his time and Sonny sees it as being his career. The exposition of the narrator finding his younger brother in a newspaper resulted on reconnecting their relationship. Also, the conflict of the two siblings was their argument of not seeing the same
Ernest Hemingway's short story "Hills Like White Elephants" touches on an issue as ageless as time: communication problems in a relationship. He tells his story through conversations between the two main characters, the American and the girl. Conflict is created through dialogue as these characters face what most readers believe to be the obstacle of an unexpected pregnancy. Their plight is further complicated by their inability to convey their differing opinions to each other. Symbolism and the title's meaning are other effective means of communicating conflict.
...ings from a metaphorical perspective. They are advised that the train will arrive in five minutes; meaning while they are at the height of their clash their decision must be made almost immediately. After a moment the American picks up "the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks"(146) from their initial position on the side with the stark, ominous hills, thus signifying his affirmation of her wishes. He takes, what is to him the emblem of their past life together, his "baggage", and brings them to her side of the tracks, the side of life. They've both chosen the same direction in life. Though the text itself does not implicitly reveal their final decision, Hemingway's use of symbolism within the setting make their choice crystal clear: she decides not to have an abortion, and he, though not without staunch reservations, acquiesces.
Why does mankind give up things they truly desire for someone else? In Ernest Hemingway’s fictional short story “Hills like White Elephants” he demonstrates this through his theme of regret. The story occurs in northern Spain at a junction station for the train in the valley of the Ebro River. An American man and a young girl named Jig walk up to the junction station and sit on the porch. As they sit in wait for the train to arrive, the two order beer and a foreign alcoholic beverage while having a conversation with one another. Their conversation begins with Jig claiming that “...the hills look like white elephants.” (Hemingway p.475). The American man then brings up an operation that Jig is expected to have. He tells her that she will be