Love in The Lady with the Dog and Hills like White Elephants

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Anton Chekhov and Ernest Hemingway both convey their ideas of love in their respective stories The Lady with the Pet Dog and Hills like White Elephants in different ways. However, their ideas are quite varying, and may be interpreted differently by each individual reader. In their own, unique way, both Chekhov and Hemingway evince what is; and what is not love. Upon proper contemplation, one may observe that Hemingway, although not stating explicitly what love is; the genius found in his story is that he gives a very robust example of what may be mistaken as love, although not being true love. On the other hand, Chekhov exposes love as a frame of mind that may only be achieved upon making the acquaintance of the “right person,” and not as an ideal that one may palpate at one instance, and at the another instance one may cease to feel; upon simple and conscious command of the brain. I agree with Hemingway’s view on love because it goes straight to the point of revealing some misconceptions of love. Chekhov’s portrayal of love is as an emotion that solidifies itself only if the precise person is encountered. However, Chekhov takes his idea even further through his characters Dmitri and Anna, by stating through them, that love may be discovered, even after marrying the “incorrect person.” This fact is made clear when Chekhov writes “I don't know what he does there, what his work is, but I know he is a flunkey! I was twenty when I was married to him” through the character Anna. Hemingway on the other hand, instead of giving a view on what love is, his perspective is based on situation that may be mistaken as love. Both of Hemingway’s characters in Hills like White Elephants; Jig and The American, are reluctant to reveal the reality o... ... middle of paper ... ...as well. No matter how one may interpret either story, the fact remains that both authors had differentiating assumptions on love and as thus, so is the purpose of their story. It must be stated their purposes are different because although it could be argued that both try to give different views on love; Hemingway’s story is actually lambasting people who believe and claim they are in love, and yet can’t even communicate efficiently with their love interest. Chekhov on one hand states what love is, while Hemingway defuses what many people could understand as love. Chekhov while more descriptive and elaborate, does not hold the opinion I favor. Hemingway although, vague with character description, in the dialogue, is very expressive in the use of symbols, and as thus manages to create the notion I favor the most out of the ones expressed by the discussed stories.

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