The Role Of Women In 'Hills Like White Elephants'?

When the term “couple” is mentioned, most people think of a romantic, “happily ever after” relationship. However, in the nineteenth century, it seemed to be the complete opposite. Women were living in chaos. During the era when women had to fight for their equality and freedom in their society, they also had to fight for their equality as partners in their relationships. Women were portrayed as submissive to men. Literature of this period often characterized women as oppressed by the male influences in their lives. There are two stories that display women as being submissive as well as oppressed. In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Gilman, the wife of a psychologist suffers from a post-partum depression and is confined in a room of a mansion

In “Hills like White Elephants”, the American stresses to Jig, “if you don’t want to you don’t have to. I wouldn’t have you do it if you don’t want to. But I know it’s perfectly simple” (Hemingway, 311). The American uses these words constantly throughout the story as a technique to persuade Jig into considering an abortion. The American uses persistence to effectively control Jig mentally and sway her towards a certain decision. In addition, the American reassures to the girl, “I love you now. You know I love you” (Hemingway, 311). Here, the man attempts to appeal to the girl emotionally. The man uses affection to elevate Jig’s spirit, which is another effort to persuade her to proceed with the abortion. He mentions to Jig, “[The baby’s] the only thing that bothers us. It’s the only thing that’s made us unhappy” (Hemingway, 311). Throughout the story, the American man seems to be selfish, because he never seems to actually consider the girl’s feelings or views towards the operation. To the man, it seems as if the baby is just an obstacle blocking only his happiness. The selfish statements and pleas of the American suggest that he did not care about the future of his unborn