Hills Like White Elephants | Summary, Key Events & Themes

Hills Like White Elephants, written by Ernest Hemingway, is one of his interesting stories. In just a few pages, Hemingway presents a deep discussion about relationships, choices, and communication.

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Summary of Hills Like White Elephants

In Ernest Hemingway’s short a short story Hills Like White Elephants, a young woman named Jig and an American guy wait for a train in a Spanish train station.

At first glance, the couple’s conversation appears to be informal, but it soon becomes clear that they are talking about something more serious: Jig may be pregnant, and the man wants her to have an abortion. Despite never being mentioned clearly, this subject becomes the focus of their discussion.

The tension between them increases as they communicate. Jig likens the far-off hills to “white elephants,” signifying the burdensome, undesirable choice they must make.

Because Jig’s ultimate decision is not revealed at the end of the novel, the reader is left feeling unsure and is compelled to consider the ramifications of unsaid words and unresolved conflict.

Because of Hemingway’s use of symbolism and complexity, this is a potent examination of challenging relationships and decisions.

Key Events in Hills Like White Elephants

The Setting: A Train Station in Spain

The story begins with a couple sitting at a train station in Spain, and the setting itself is symbolic. A train station is a metaphor for a turning point in life, where choices are made that have the power to change one’s destiny.

In addition to physically traveling by train, the pair are also preparing for a more significant event: the choice that will impact their future together.

This waiting period creates a sense of uncertainty that reflects the couple’s emotional state as they deal with an unsolved problem.

The Conversation

Although Jig and the American man talk about a lot of different subjects, their primary subject appears throughout: Jig may be pregnant, and the American man wants an abortion. Tension and unsaid realities exist throughout this discussion.

In reality, the “white elephants” Jig refers to in the narrative are a metaphor for something that is both undesired and difficult. The “white elephant” in the room is the pregnancy, which neither character can discuss freely without feeling awkward.

The American man attempts to convince Jig that the abortion will improve the situation by using language that convinces, but his remarks lack empathy, showing his lack of understanding of her emotional position.

Jig’s answers are more complex; she expresses hesitation and does not fully share his viewpoint. This conversation depicts how people in partnerships usually have different opinions but find it difficult to express them clearly, which can cause conflict and unsolved problems.

Hemingway’s decision to exclude a lot of facts from their talk adds emotional depth that makes readers consider the more nuanced aspects of their exchange.

Analysis of Hills Like White Elephants

Famous Line from Hills Like White Elephants

Jig’s comment, “They look like white elephants,” is among the most well-known quotes from Hills Like White Elephants. There is significantly more to this seemingly simple remark about the hills than meets the eye.

The couple’s decision is represented by the hills, and the term “white elephant” can also describe something that is difficult to handle, similar to their situation.

Jig’s reference to the hills as “white elephants” also refers to the pregnancy, which is an uncommon, difficult-to-ignore, and difficult-to-manage aspect of her life.

However, the American man continues to minimize the gravity of the issue, refusing to acknowledge the weight of this statement.

The central tension of the story reveals that one character believes they can quickly resolve the problem, while the other is emotionally affected by the choice they must make. The “white elephant” metaphor helps readers understand the emotional complexity of the situation they’re in.

Themes of Hills Like White Elephants

Communication and Miscommunication

Communication is one of the story’s main themes. The American man is trying to convince Jig to have the abortion throughout the conversation, but he never says it out loud. Instead, he attempts minimize the issue by using confusing wording.

Conversely, Jig is quiet for a large portion of the time. She responds and listens, but she keeps her own emotions to herself. This misunderstanding shows how challenging it may be to discuss delicate subjects.

We are forced to interpret what is not spoken by reading between the lines because there is no personal contact. As seen below, the inability to communicate honestly can cause friction and misunderstandings in many relationships.

The narrative serves as a potent reminder of how avoiding uncomfortable talks can strain our emotions and affect our relationships with others. The story is made much more tragic by the fact that both characters appear to be talking past rather than to one another.

Choices and Consequences

Choice is another key theme. Jig must make the difficult choice of having an abortion or keeping the child. Jig is definitely unsure, but the American man pushes her to make a single decision.

The narrative examines how decisions we make can impact our lives and relationships, even if we aren’t instantly aware of it. Jig’s internal conflict emphasizes the significance of these choices because she isn’t sure what will actually bring her happiness.

However, it appears that the American man only cares about the short-term effects and is unaware of the emotional toll his advice has on Jig.

Their different points of view cause a serious split between them, showing how a single choice can have a profound impact on a person’s life and relationship.

The narrative challenges readers to consider the consequences of their decisions and the unexpected ways in which they may impact other people.

Literary Device in Hills Like White Elephants

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The “white elephants” represent the unwanted and burdensome pregnancy, central to the couple’s conflict.
Irony	The American man’s insistence that the abortion will “solve” their problems contrasts with the emotional toll it takes on Jig.
Dialogue	The sparse and indirect dialogue between Jig and the American man highlights their emotional distance and miscommunication.

**Why Hills Like White Elephants Is Still Relevant Today**

Despite the fact that this novella was created in the 1920s, its themes are still valid today. Many people, particularly young adults, must make tough choices regarding their families, relationships, and overall lives.

Many of us can identify with the story’s couple’s communication difficulties. The narrative also emphasizes how a single choice may alter everything, which is still true in modern life.

Shakespeare’s drama Romeo and Juliet also examines how young lovers must make tough choices, usually in the face of internal strife and outside impacts.

The characters in Romeo and Juliet have to deal with the difficulties of love, familial expectations, and individual wants, much like Jig and the American man did.

The key themes of communication breakdowns and difficult choices are timeless, making Hills Like White Elephants as relevant today as it was when it was first written, despite the fact that the particular situations in the two stories are different.

This story is ageless because of Hemingway’s simple writing. The emotions and conflicts between the characters are easily understood, despite the fact that not everything is explained explicitly.

Hills Like White Elephants is frequently studied in schools because of this. It teaches us the value of communication, how our choices impact other people, and how to handle challenging circumstances.

Important Quotes to Remember

Hills Like White Elephants is full of important lines that help explain the emotions of the characters. Here are a few key quotes:

“They look like white elephants.” –

This is Jig’s comment about the hills, and it highlights the metaphor of the “white elephant.” The phrase symbolizes the unwanted pregnancy and the heavy decision ahead.

“I don’t want you to do anything that you don’t want to do.” –

The American man says this to Jig, but it’s clear that he wants her to make a certain choice. This line shows his attempt to appear caring while still pushing his own opinion.

“And we’ll be happy again.” –

The American man repeats this idea, suggesting that everything will return to normal once the decision is made. However, his words are not convincing to Jig, and the audience can feel the tension in his empty reassurances.

These quotes reveal the emotional conflict between the characters and show the difficulty of making such an important decision.

Conclusion

Hills Like White Elephants is a story about the unspoken. Hemingway uses subtle interchange and symbolism to tell a much bigger story about life, love, and difficult choices.

By the end of the story, we don’t know for sure what Jig will decide, but we do know that the decision will change everything. The story leaves us with a lot to think about, making it a powerful piece of writing that still resonates today.