Hill like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
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Ernest Hemingways fiction is famous for showing more detailed in a few words than writing many words, and the long conversation between the two characters in Hills Like White Elephants can prove that rule.
From the first until the last part, Hemingway clearly shows the tension between a man and a girl waiting for a train as they discuss whether she should have to get abortion without using the word “abortion”. The authors use of repetition in the dialogue emphasizes a sense of breakup between the couple. Hemingway also expresses the mans selfishness and willingness to explain through dialogue, contrasting it with the womans emotional deeper view of the situation. From the first part of the story, when the American and the girl with him are waiting for the express from Barcelona, the conversation and appearance become evident that the woman is avoiding from something. In the story, the author tells us that she is “looking off at the line of hills” in the distance or at “the bead curtain” shading the door to the bar rather than looking off at the man or trying to attract him with a great conversation. Moreover, her suggestion that they should get something to drink also seems like an attempt to put off an unwished discussion. Its clearly that there is a problem here. When the man says: “Its really an awfully simple operation, Jig” the nature of that problem starts to open up even though it is never clearly stated. The narrator makes the moral quality of the story more intense without using the word “abortion”. The girl speaks with a simple, bitter, and honesty when she is not keeping silent while her pairs continues to make sure about how natural the procedure will be even his repeated insistence comes across as self-serving:
The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on.
I know you wouldnt mind it, Jig. Its really not anything. Its just to let the air in.
The girl did not say anything.
Ill go with you and Ill stay with you all the time. They just let the air in and then its all perfectly natural.
Then what will we do afterwards?
Well be fine afterwards. Just like we were before.
What makes you think so?
Thats the only thing that bothers us. Its the only thing thats made us unhappy.
The girl looked at the bead curtain, put her hand out and took hold of two of the strings of beads.
And you think then well be all right and be happy.
I know we will. You dont have to be afraid. Ive known lots of people that have done it.
So have I, said the girl. And afterwards they were all so happy.
Well, the man said, if you dont want to you dont have to. I wouldnt have you do it if you didnt want to. But I know its perfectly simple.
And you really want to?
I think its the best thing to do. But I dont want you to do it if you dont really want to.
This quotation shows that the mans attitude contrasts with the wider view the girl takes by implication when she rises and looks at the nearby “field of