Hills like White Elephants
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Hills Like White Elephants
Hills like white elephants is about the conflict of opinions between two different people. The setting begins at a train station in Spain where there is the American and the girl. They are on their way to Madrid for a simple procedure. The girl is upset about this idea because she is not sure if it will bring them the happiness but the American thinks it will once it is done.
The girl makes an observation about the hills on the beautiful side of the station “They look like white elephants,” she said. (114) “Ive never seen one,” the man drank his beer. (114). The image of white elephants reminds me of fertility, when a woman is pregnant as the months go on her belly gets bigger and bigger. The American and the girl are on their way for the girl to get a simple operation. The American thinks that with the simple operation their lives will be normal again but the girl does not think so. The girl looked at the hills again. Theyre lovely hills,” she said. “They dont really look like white elephants. I just meant the coloring of their skin through the trees.” (115).
The American starts to talk to the girl about the simple operation they are going to do. “Its really an awfully simple operation, Jig,” the man said. “Its really not an operation at all.” (115). The American kept pressing the operation on Jig. “Ill go with you and Ill stay with you all the time. They just let the air in and then its all perfectly natural.” (115). At this point Jig is unsure that things will go back to they way they were if she were to go through with this simple operation. The American keeps pushing for Jig to get this simple operation; according to him after it is done everything will go back to normal. “Well be fine afterward. Just like before.” (115).
Jig and the American are having different feelings about the simple operation. The view of the American with the simple operation is everything will go back to normal and the two will be just fine. Jig on the other hand knows that once the simple operation is done it will be done and there is no turning back. The American wants to do what he can so their relationship does not become permanent. The American has no sign of commitment to the relationship. Having a baby means he has to commit to the relationship.
“And you think then well be all right and 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 afterward they were all so happy.” (115). Jig is not sure about going through with the simple operation because she does not think that they will be as happy as they are now. The American is sure that they will be happy after the operation is done but then tells Jig, “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 really dont want to.” (115).
Jig is questioning if the American loves her or not. The American does love her and always has loved her. “I know. But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and youll like it.” “Ill love it. I love it now I just cant think about it. You know how I get when I worry.” “If I do it you wont every worry.” “I wont worry about that because its perfectly simple.” (115). As Jig is saying to the American it seems as if she is getting annoyed with him. Jig decides to go along with the American. “Then Ill do it. Because I dont