Can the reader of “Hills like White Elephants” experience the success of the male character, known as “the American”, or the triumph of Jig, the female character, at the end of the story?
The argument of the American couple waiting at a junction between Barcelona and Madrid represents the centre of Ernest Hemingway’s short story. Heming-way published this short story as part of the story collection “Men without Women” in 1927 (ANONYMOUS, 1996). Therefore, it can be assumed that the setting of the story is also conceived for the 1920ies.
It is never directly mentioned that both discuss the abortion of their unborn child, although it becomes clear through implications within the text. Whereas the man tries to convince her in a manipulating manner to undergo surgery, she dreams of a future with the child (HEMINGWAY, 1956: 249ff). LAMB even states that: “Much of the conversation is so obscure that on the literal level it can be comprehended only in light of the entire story” (LAMB, 1996: 469). Sev-eral metaphors, images and other literary devices, such as the simile being present in the title and in its several repetitions in the story, add to the reader’s perception of the shown conflict.
Apparently, the male character represents the dominant part in the relationship and the successful one in the conversation. As the girl states “But I don’t care about me. And I’ll do it and then everything will be fine” (HEMINGWAY, 1956: 251) after being talked at by her boyfriend, it seems that she gives up and sac-rifices her wishes. However, scholars discuss whether the American or the girl can force their individual points in the end. The aim of this research paper is to examine this question. An analysis of the structure of the short story, the impor-tance of place and positioning as well as the language of both characters will support the clarification of the hypothesis mentioned above regarding the tri-umph of the man. Nevertheless, there could be another reading, too. Probably his female counterpart is more influential than it seems to be at first sight.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Modern dialogue - the structure of the short story
3 Hills and junction - the strong prominence of place and positioning
4 Repetition, manipulation and sarcasm - the language of the characters
5 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This research paper aims to analyze the power dynamics and decision-making process regarding abortion between the two central characters in Ernest Hemingway’s "Hills like White Elephants." The study examines whether the female character remains entirely subordinate or if she undergoes a development that allows her to assert her own will by the end of the narrative.
- Literary analysis of Hemingway’s "modern dialogue" technique.
- The symbolic significance of the setting, place, and positioning.
- Examination of the language used, focusing on repetition, sarcasm, and manipulation.
- Evaluation of the female character's psychological development and agency.
Excerpt from the Book
Hills and junction - the strong prominence of place and positioning
The valley of the river Ebro between Barcelona and Madrid works as a framework for the setting of the short story. The Spanish country is on the one hand the place where the American couple had travelled and had spent its hedonistic lifestyle so far and forms on the other hand a strict catholic context. This religious background is not only present through the location but also becomes clear through an object: the bead curtain which can be associated with a chaplet.
The simile “hills like white elephants” represents certainly the most striking element of place. It mainly works as a hint for the reader to understand the central conflict of the conversation, although there are several different interpretations of it.
On the one hand, a white elephant stands for an unwanted possession. It can be either related to the so called “white elephant sales”, which are similar to second hand sales of unwanted goods and which fundraise money for charity projects (WEEKS, 1980: 76), or to a story of a Siamese king who gave a white elephant as a present to courtiers who he wanted to ruin (HOLLANDER, 1985: 214). On the other hand, a white elephant can be seen as a metaphor for an expensive burdensome property in the North American cultural context (LINK: 2004). It is considered as precious and sacred because of its rarity in nature (WEEKS, 1980: 76) and also as a possession of great value (HASHMI: 2003). Both ways of interpretation apply to this story. The girl regards the unborn child as a gift and looks forward to a future with it, whereas the man refuses his role as father (WEEKS, 1980: 76) and wants to force her to fulfil her role as inferior part of the relationship who gives up her own desires in favour of his own wishes.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the hypothesis that the female character, despite being initially portrayed as inferior, undergoes a process of development and eventual self-assertion.
2 Modern dialogue - the structure of the short story: This section explores Hemingway’s minimalist writing style and how his "modern dialogue" uses implication and situational context to reveal the underlying relationship dynamics.
3 Hills and junction - the strong prominence of place and positioning: This chapter analyzes how the geographical setting and symbolic objects function as metaphors for the characters' conflicting desires regarding the pregnancy and their future.
4 Repetition, manipulation and sarcasm - the language of the characters: This part investigates the power struggle reflected in the characters' speech patterns, highlighting the man's manipulative rhetoric and the woman's growing use of irony and sarcasm.
5 Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, confirming that the female character exhibits signs of agency and resistance, ultimately challenging the initial perception of her total subordination.
Keywords
Ernest Hemingway, Hills like White Elephants, Modern dialogue, Abortion, Literary analysis, Power dynamics, Gender roles, Symbolism, Narrative structure, Iceberg theory, Manipulation, Female agency, Linguistic patterns, Sarcasm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper provides a critical analysis of the power dynamics and the decision-making process regarding abortion within Ernest Hemingway's short story "Hills like White Elephants."
What are the central thematic fields explored in this study?
The study focuses on the character development of the protagonist, the symbolic weight of the narrative's setting, and the linguistic strategies used by the characters to exert influence.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The research asks whether the female character remains trapped in a submissive role or if she successfully asserts her own feelings and autonomy by the end of the story.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author employs a text-immanent literary analysis, drawing upon stylistic studies and Hemingway's known narrative techniques, such as the "iceberg theory."
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body evaluates the structure of the dialogue, the symbolism of the landscape and travel baggage, and the psychological subtext hidden within the characters' repetitive and sarcastic language.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key concepts include Hemingway’s modern dialogue, the symbolic landscape of the Ebro valley, manipulation, gender-based power imbalances, and female assertion.
How does the "bead curtain" serve as a symbol in the story?
The author suggests the bead curtain carries religious connotations, specifically associations with a chaplet, which contrasts with the couple's hedonistic lifestyle.
What does the author conclude about the "smile" of the female character?
The paper interprets her smile as a significant turning point, acting as a form of content acknowledgement that signals her shifting perspective and resistance to the man's manipulation.
Why is the "white elephant" metaphor so central to the analysis?
The metaphor is analyzed as a dual symbol representing both an unwanted burden and a precious, sacred gift, perfectly encapsulating the differing views of the man and woman regarding their unborn child.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2009, An analysis of Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills like White Elephants”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138489
