Symbolism In Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants

Hemingway’s short story “Hills like White Elephants” fluctuates many sparse details to compel a young couple’s life. It introduces multiple critics towards its interesting use of symbolism towards religious outlook. “Hills like White Elephants” connects multiple accusations with religious perspective amongst its very own characters, and is rather deeply assumed to open a deeper inside of the story. Hemmingway’s short story sure does bargain with such deep religious out take on everything when observed obscurely.

A little background information of Hemingway’s short story “Hills like White Elephants” would be the historical and literary context that influenced this story. Hemmingway published “Hills like White Elephants” in 1927 along with his

It’s a huge symbol of what lays down at the end of the road for their relationship, but also upkeeps their ways of life towards being fearful of having a child. The “American Man “appears to manipulate Jig in giving up the child for their joy ride of adventure. For example, the “American Man picks up the suitcases and carries them to the other side of the station”, he’s showing selfishness towards Jig in wanting to continue the joy ride (Hemingway 547). On the other hand, “fields of grain” symbolizes life, therefore depicting the fertility of Jig (Hemingway 532). Jig alone is stuck in a depressed state of mind, and allowing her American boyfriend fonder his actions into accepting the abortion method to continue their travels together. The story was “published in 1927”, at the time abortion was not a skeptical topic, as it showed societal attitudes toward unwed mothers (Piers 3). There wasn’t really government aid back then, therefore, Jig would endow a tough time raising the child while finding work. Late 1920’s alone were on the brink of an economical tragedy leaving many people unemployed, and leaving Jig in a more stressed situation of raising a newborn. Not only is Jig facing a rough decision, but the issue of illegitimacy would have arisen against her. If the father refused to help raise the child, then the only option open to Jig would have been

Ernest Hemingway did a good job of setting the theme of “Talking versus Communicating” as it shows neither the couple both truly understand both of their point of views. The American man can be seen as frustrated, and will say anything to convince of Jig accepting the “the operation” (Hemingway 520). Jig meanwhile, waffles indecisively over wanting to go through with the abortion just to continue their travels together. Later on in their conversation Jig exclaims “please, please, please, please, stop talking”, realizing the futility of their relationship together. Observing closely the couple merely “dance around each other and the issue at hand without ever saying anything meaningful to each other” leaving them helpless. This alone conveys the theme of “Talking versus Communicating” because talking is rather a more effective way of getting your thoughts across to each other. According to Doctor Melanie M. Maddison “for an effective relationship to grow strong, talking must be present in any state, rather it being deciding on decisions, vacations, and other subjects amongst that line”. Therefore, Jig and the American Man both show no methods of talking, but rather communicating each other’s personal gain of their situation. Ernest Hemingway did a great job in escalating this topic with such