An Analysis Of Hemingways Hills Like White Elephants Essay -- Hills Li

In Hemingways Hills Like White Elephants I ground many layers of symbolism, and a fascinating psychological underplay afoot amongst his two characters. It begins with the girls comment about a decipher of white hills seen in the distance, which she compares to white elephants. The man responds with the comment Ive never seen one. The symbolism of a white elephant is widely known as something real large or apparent that no one wishes to acknowledge or speak of in American society. It is an interesting opening to a really strained conversation concerning an apparent pregnancy, and the mans wish to net it. The couples careful avoidance of actually naming the problem, or the proposed solution, suggests the situation in which a mate, reluctant to assume responsibility, or offhand for the task of parenthood, is lobbying to prevent it. In her next comment, No, you wouldnt have. the girl returns a very passive aggressive riposte, perhaps suggesting that the man cannot, or leave alon e not, recognize an unpleasant issue. His defensive reaction to her response suggests that she is correct. She then changes the substance casually, as though retreating from his irritation. He plays along with it in a conciliative manner, seemingly eager to avoid an escalation of the tension that obviously exists between them. Clearly, the adult female in this story is reluctant to abort her pregnancy, while the man is powerfully committed to making it happen.After he orders them...