The purpose of this paper is to show that an analysis and interpretation of the topographical and architectural setting and of the objects within that setting in Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” which was published in 1927, provides a fruitful understanding of the short story. This paper investigates how Hemingway transforms topography into metaphors and symbols and how the setting creates the mood and sets the tone of the short story. “Hills Like White Elephants” is a paramount example of Hemingway’s so-called "iceberg theory". Similarly, Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” which is mostly told in dialogue, is like the tip of an iceberg—the succinct length and the seemingly simple language are deceptive. Analogously to Hemingway’s iceberg theory, there are concealed depths to the surface story. The fact that there are only a few sections in which the setting is described emphasizes that a close reading of the setting is necessary because the lack of description indicates that there is hidden meaning behind the overall setting. This paper argues that Hemingway uses the setting to demonstrate the struggle of the main characters, the American and the girl Jig, about whether to have an abortion—even though words such as ‘abortion’ or ‘pregnancy’ are not mentioned in the text. The paper argues that Hemingway integrates symbolism into the landscape and furthermore uses spatial concepts to convey meaning that goes beyond spatial information. The contrast between abortion or birth correlates with the dichotomy of the setting and is hence almost entirely expressed in spatial terms. Moreover, the descriptions of the setting reflect the couple’s contrasting points of view regarding the pregnancy. The paper aims to discover the implied and hinted meaning within the deceptive simplicity of the text by relying on narrative theory.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Analysis of the setting in “Hills Like White Elephants”
- 3. Conclusion
- 4. Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to demonstrate how an analysis of the setting in Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" contributes to a deeper understanding of the story. It explores how Hemingway uses topographical and architectural details, along with objects within the setting, as metaphors and symbols to create mood, tone, and to reveal the underlying conflict between the main characters.
- The significance of setting in narrative comprehension.
- Hemingway's "iceberg theory" and its application in "Hills Like White Elephants."
- The use of symbolism and metaphor in the depiction of the train station setting.
- The contrasting imagery of fertility and sterility in the landscape.
- The characters' relationship and their decision-making process as reflected in the setting.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the importance of setting (or narrative space) in literary analysis, highlighting its often-overlooked role in shaping narrative comprehension. It introduces Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" as a prime example for studying the significance of setting, emphasizing the story's deceptively simple language and concise length, which belie a deeper symbolic meaning. The chapter posits that a close reading of the setting is crucial to understanding the characters' struggle surrounding an implied abortion, a central theme concealed within the text's brevity and lack of explicit mention of pregnancy or abortion.
2. Analysis of the setting in “Hills Like White Elephants”: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of the setting of Hemingway's short story. The train station, located at a crossroads between Barcelona and Madrid, is presented as a physical and metaphorical representation of the couple's own crossroads in their relationship. The contrasting descriptions of the landscape – the barren, hot landscape juxtaposed with the shade offered by the station building – symbolize the stark choices faced by the characters. The chapter explores how the objects within the setting (the drinks, the hat) and the characters' interactions within this space contribute to the underlying tension and symbolic meaning. The chapter also discusses the metaphorical use of the "white elephants" and the implications of the setting through the eyes of Jig.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Narrative space, setting, Hemingway, Hills Like White Elephants, symbolism, metaphor, imagery, abortion, pregnancy, relationship conflict, iceberg theory, spatial order, landscape, train station.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Setting in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a language analysis paper focusing on the setting in Ernest Hemingway's short story, "Hills Like White Elephants." It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis aims to demonstrate how the setting contributes to a deeper understanding of the story's themes and characters' internal conflict.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores the significance of setting in narrative comprehension, Hemingway's "iceberg theory," the use of symbolism and metaphor in the train station setting, contrasting imagery of fertility and sterility, and how the characters' relationship and decision-making process are reflected in the setting.
What is the central focus of the analysis?
The central focus is a detailed analysis of the setting of "Hills Like White Elephants," particularly the train station, and how its physical and symbolic elements contribute to the understanding of the implied abortion and the characters' complex relationship.
How does the analysis interpret the setting of the train station?
The train station setting is interpreted as a physical and metaphorical representation of the crossroads in the couple's relationship. The contrasting descriptions of the landscape (barren and hot versus the shade of the station) symbolize the stark choices they face. Objects within the setting (drinks, hat) and characters' interactions within this space contribute to the underlying tension and symbolic meaning.
What role does Hemingway's "iceberg theory" play in the analysis?
The analysis considers how Hemingway's "iceberg theory" – the idea that much of the story's meaning is implied rather than explicitly stated – is reflected in the setting and its symbolic elements. The seemingly simple setting belies a deeper symbolic meaning crucial to understanding the characters' unspoken conflict.
What are the key symbols and metaphors used in the analysis?
Key symbols and metaphors include the barren landscape, the shade of the station, the drinks the characters consume, the "white elephants," and the overall imagery of fertility and sterility, all reflecting the characters' emotional and physical state.
What is covered in each chapter of the paper?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Establishes the importance of setting in literary analysis and introduces "Hills Like White Elephants" as a case study. Chapter 2 (Analysis of the setting): Provides a detailed analysis of the train station setting, exploring its symbolic elements and their contribution to the story's meaning. Chapter 3 (Conclusion): Summarizes the findings and offers concluding remarks (content not detailed in preview). Chapter 4 (Bibliography): Lists the sources used in the paper (content not detailed in preview).
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Narrative space, setting, Hemingway, Hills Like White Elephants, symbolism, metaphor, imagery, abortion, pregnancy, relationship conflict, iceberg theory, spatial order, landscape, train station.
- Quote paper
- Jella Delzer (Author), 2021, The setting in Ernest Hemingway’s "Hills Like White Elephants". An analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1139466
