Exploring Symbolism in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants"

Introduction

Ernest Hemingway’s story, “Hills Like White Elephants,” is a classic when it comes to showing how symbols can say a lot without really saying much at all. It’s all about using simple language and lots of dialogue, which leaves a lot open for interpretation. At the core of this story, symbolism plays a big part in showing the tension between the characters and touching on themes like choice, talking (or not talking), and what relationships are really about. This essay dives into those symbols in “Hills Like White Elephants” and looks at how they add layers to the story.

The Setting as Symbolism

The setting is one of the big symbols in this tale. You’ve got this train station sitting between two very different landscapes. On one side, there’s lush fields and the Ebro River, suggesting life and growth. On the other side? A dry, barren landscape that suggests emptiness and desolation. This contrast reflects the big decision that Jig and her American companion face: whether or not to go through with an abortion. The fertile land might symbolize life and possibilities, while the barren side hints at sterility and potential consequences of their choices. It's like these landscapes paint a picture of possible futures depending on what they decide.

The White Elephant

Let’s talk about white elephants for a second – it’s right there in the title after all! A “white elephant” is usually something you don’t really want because it’s more trouble than it’s worth. In this story, it stands for the unborn child and what it means for Jig and her partner. For him, it seems like an inconvenience that threatens their carefree lives; for her, it’s something causing deep internal conflict. So, the white elephant really captures their dilemma and shows how differently each sees their future together.

Symbolic Drinks

The drinks they order aren’t just drinks – they’re loaded with meaning too. They keep sipping alcohol throughout their convo, almost like they’re trying to dodge facing their issues head-on. Drinking becomes a way to escape reality for them. That anise liquor they mention? It doesn’t taste quite right, echoing how uncomfortable everything feels between them. It highlights how their efforts to act normal are completely out of sync with the tension brewing beneath.

Talking Without Saying Much

The way these characters talk tells us a lot too – or maybe doesn’t tell us much at all? Their dialogue goes around in circles sometimes, showing how tough it is for them to communicate properly. When Jig says those hills look like white elephants, she opens up honestly but gets brushed off by her partner. It kind of shows his tendency to downplay her feelings, pointing back to this theme of miscommunication and struggling for understanding.

Conclusion

In “Hills Like White Elephants,” Hemingway uses symbolism so skillfully that even though the story is short, it's packed with meaning. From landscapes to white elephants, drinking habits to awkward conversations – all these symbols dig into themes like choice-making, communication troubles, and relationship complexities. Through these elements, Hemingway gives us insight into those unspoken tensions we experience in life-changing decisions and interactions with others.

References

• Hemingway, E. (1927). Men Without Women. New York: Scribner.
• Benson, J.J., & Mellow, J.R. (Eds.). (1990). New Critical Approaches to the Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. Duke University Press.
• Nagel, J.C. (1989). "The Importance of Setting in 'Hills Like White Elephants.'" The Hemingway Review, 8(1), 28-38.
• Phelan J., & Rabinowitz P.J., (2005). "A Companion to Narrative Theory." Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• Baker C.M., & Tippens W.D., (2001). "Hemingway's Economy of Form: Iceberg Theory Revisited." Studies in Short Fiction, 38(4), 373-390.