Woman Hollering Creek Setting

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The Power of Setting
Though Ernest Hemmingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” and Sandra Cisneros’ “Woman Hollering Creek” have more differences than similarities, they do share one defining trait: an important setting. Setting can be more than just a physical location, it can also be a social or psychological state. Both stories rely heavily on their physical settings, which help shape their social and psychological settings, and would not have the same effect if they took place in a different location. The setting of Hemmingway’s story provides clues to the plot, whether or not Jig, one of the main characters, will be getting an abortion. Cisneros uses setting to emphasize the isolation of her main character Cleofilas. In both “Hills Like …show more content…

Even though there is an obvious cultural barrier on Jigs behalf, it can be assumed that the couple travel often, based on Jig’s quip about always trying new drinks and the American’s idea to see the whole world. However, the American clearly has the most power in this relationship. He pays for everything the two drink without batting an eye, leading the reader to believe that Jig is potentially dependent on him to financially support her. Though her nationality is undisclosed, it is revealed near the ending that Jig does not speak Spanish, but the American does: “The woman came out through the curtains with two glasses of beer and put them down on felt pads. ‘The train comes in five minutes,’ she said. ‘What did she say?’ asked the girl. ‘The train will be coming in five minutes’” (Hemmingway 232). The language barrier between her and her surroundings gives the man another gain over her. Clearly, Jig is at a disadvantage in this country centered on these implications alone. This could be why Jig is so hesitant in making the decision to get the procedure done or not. She clearly holds the man in high regards and seems to want to take his opinion into consideration as he has seemingly done so much for her, as she shows in the midst of their argument when she claims that she wants everything to return to normal. Jig asks the man if he’ll love her after the procedure and he

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