“Hills Like White Elephants” is a short story which was written by Ernest Hemingway. When I first saw the title of this story, I assumed that it is an illustration of natural beauty of any particular place. Once I started reading it, I thought my assumption was right because opening sentence of this story depicts the view of the valley of the Ebro. Then, Hemingway stated about a train station and outside the train station bar an American man and woman were having beers as well as waiting for train. This description gave me idea that my first conception was wrong. However, I realized it is a nice romantic story.
As the couple drinks, the woman tells that man that the hills remind her of “white elephants.” In this case, I was wondering what symbolizes white elephants. Furthermore, I noticed from the conversation of this couple that they are trying to decide something. At this point, the man was convincing the women but she was against the decision. In addition, I identify the woman was worried that can this decision solve the problem or is it going to affect their future relationship? But, the man trying to make her comfortable by saying that their life will be happy as it was before if she agrees with him. Here, I felt that she was forced to agree with him which is the reason she said that she does not care about herself. At the end of the story, I observed her depressive and helpless face saying that “There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine.”
After reading the entire story, my view says that Hemingway determines the issue of abortion in a certain relationship. I think it explains the youthful nature of a man who does not want any child because he still believes that he has to explore his world and get his own pleasure. This is the reason he is persuading his girlfriend to have abortion that he can move forward in his life. According to my opinion, poor woman is dreaming about her child that is why she is using metaphors like “white elephants” which symbolizes a new born child. In fact, she states beautiful scenery of Ebro which I think the symbol of happiness to have a child. As she realized that her boyfriend is favoring to have abortion and putting his best effort to urge her, she said “Would you please please please please please please please please stop talking?” I also detected that Hemingway demonstrated the girl’s tragic expression against abortion by drawing a view of dry side of the valley.
The conclusion of this story is that the couple is waiting for arrival of the train. Unfortunately, they cannot bring any solution through their conversation because both of their points of views are different regarding abortion. I think Hemingway decided to leave this situation to her readers what will be their future. At last, I can picture the girl will decide to give birth to her child and the man will continue his pleasure game.
I was really confessed about what the “white elephants” has to do with the story. But after reading your interpretation I think it makes a lot of sense. Thanks 🙂