Theme_and_Narrative_Elements_in_a_Short_Story

Theme and narrative elements in the short story: Dilemmas in True Love Dilemmas in True Love ENG 125 Amy Hartman April 25, 2011 In the short story, Hills like White Elephants by: Ernest Hemingway, we see a man and a woman who are faced with a dilemma of whether or not to have the child they have conceived. Throughout the story, we see how indecisive they are. However, it is clear that they are in love. They seem to not be ready to welcome such a huge responsibility into their lives, but their love for each other can have the power to alter that decision. In this story even though it was not directly stated, through setting and symbolism we can deduct that the couple in the story are being faced with the decision of whether or not to have an abortion. Furthermore, we can perceive that in true love and via honest communication, any type of situation can be resolved. Ernest Hemingway (1927) begins the story by saying, “The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun. Close against the side of the station there was the warm shadow of the building and a curtain, made of strings of bamboo beads, hung across the open door into the bar, to keep out flies. The American and the girl with him sat at a table in the shade, outside the building. It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes. It stopped at this junction for two minutes and went to Madrid.” (Chapter 7) The setting which is on a train station in Spain has a lot to do with the story, since it is mainly where it takes place. Here is where the girl admires the scenery and compares it to white elephants, which is a large contribution to the significance of the story. The white hills symbolize her pregnancy that is in essence unwanted. They are addressing the situation and deciding of whether or not to have an abortion. Ernest Hemingway (1927) wrote, “I know you wouldn't mind it, Jig. It's really not anything. It's just to let the air in. The girl did not say anything. I'll go with you and I'll stay with you all the time. They just let the air in and then it's all perfectly natural." (Chapter 7) Here, the man is discussion the abortion with the girl and notifying her that he wants her to get it done. His decision was based on the fact that he enjoys traveling and having a baby would not permit him to continue to have this type of lifestyle. Yet, he seems to want to do whatever the girl decides. Ernest Hemingway (1927) states, "You've got to realize," he said, "That I don't want you to do it if you don't want to. I'm perfectly willing to go through with it if it means anything to you. Doesn't it mean anything to you' We could get along.” “Of course it does. But I don't want anybody but you. I don't want anyone else. And I know it's perfectly simple." "Yes, you know it's perfectly simple." "It's all right for you to say that, but I do know it." "Would you do something for me now'" "I'd do anything for you.” “Would you please please please please please please please stop talking'" (Chapter 7) Although the man wishes for her to proceed with the abortion, because he truly loves her he is willing to not go through with it. The girl on the other hand doesn’t want to carry on with the procedure, but also, because of her love for him she is willing to do it. Still, she yearns for him to stop trying to convince her. All the while, during their wait for the train they conversed over drinks and she did not hesitate to try a new one, this to me symbolized she is willing to try new things or in her specific case open up a new chapter in her life, which is becoming a mother. The story concluded and the decision was not made, this left us, the readers to assume what will be the ultimate choice, will she or will she not have the abortion' Will she decide to terminate her pregnancy to please her love' Or will she confide in their love and expand their family' This story is not explicit about its theme, however, conjoining the setting and the representation of the symbols one can deduce that it is about a couple trying to communicate about their current dilemma. Regardless of the decision either the man or the girl will have to make a sacrifice, and that is what true love consists of. References Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu/books