Hills Like White Elephants is a great short story by Ernest Hemingway. It follows the the journey of two individuals, "the American" and his female companion who he refers to as Jig. All through the story, the American is trying to convince Jig to have an operation. The operation was never specified but it is obvious that it is an abortion. He keeps on reassuring her that everything will be fine afterwards since that's all she seems to care about. He tells Jig that the "operation" isn't really even an operation and that it will be a 1,2,3 process (like he's had one before). Jig isn't too sure about what she wants to do but she is sure that she just wants him, the American.
After the American drills the idea of the operation into Jigs head she finally gives in although she is unsure. When Jig agrees to have the operation, the American wants to make sure that she knows it is what she wants to do and had nothing to do with him. All of a sudden he has a change of heart. I think he just doesn't want to look like the bad guy or look like he's forcing her to go through with it. This scenario is so much like today's society. A guy will get a girl pregnant and knowing that the girl isn't in the right state of mind to make such a huge decision, he will push and push for her to have an abortion but in a way where it doesn't look as though he is the one behind everything. He will make it seem as though he's just looking out for the both of them when in all actuality he is just looking out for himself just like "the American" is doing. Reverse Psychology? I think the symbolism of "white elephants" in this short story can mean one of two things or maybe even both; the white elephants symbolizes something that no one wants which in this case will be Jigs unborn child or it is an illusion of a pregnant woman. And the hills signify their journey. A hill is always to to climb. Hard to go up but easier to go down.
What do you guys think?
Ahh, couldn't have said it better myself!
ReplyDeleteYes, this story is so American and timeless. Ha.
Poor Jiggy.
She relies on a pathetic attempt of a man...
Many people believe that white elephants are lucky. She sees the birth of a baby of an extension of their relationship and way of keeping happiness. The hills represent a new and stable life, just as she believes the newborn would bring. Hills are also symbolic of a mother's stomach during pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right! I didn't even look at it in that way.
DeleteI read on one of the articles in the kbcc library that they both was saying what they thought the other one wanted to hear but Jodi Fisk comment is very interesting, I never thought of it that way, We learn something new everyday :)
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