Symbolism in Ernest Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants'

🐘The white elephants symbolize the girl's unwanted pregnancy and the American's view of it as a burden.

☀️🌑The contrast between light and darkness represents the division between the characters' perspectives and the difficult choice they face.

🚂The railroad tracks symbolize the couple's journey and the different life paths they can choose.

📿The beaded curtain represents a barrier between the American and the girl, symbolizing their inability to truly understand each other.

🎁The concept of a white elephant as an unwanted gift parallels the girl's pregnancy, which she sees as an unwelcome burden.

What do the white elephants symbolize?

—The white elephants symbolize the girl's unwanted pregnancy and the American's view of it as a burden.

What does the contrast between light and darkness represent?

—The contrast between light and darkness represents the division between the characters' perspectives and the difficult choice they face.

What do the railroad tracks symbolize?

—The railroad tracks symbolize the couple's journey and the different life paths they can choose.

What does the beaded curtain represent?

—The beaded curtain represents a barrier between the American and the girl, symbolizing their inability to truly understand each other.

Why is the concept of a white elephant significant?

—The concept of a white elephant as an unwanted gift parallels the girl's pregnancy, which she sees as an unwelcome burden.

00:09The story introduces key symbols like white elephants, light and darkness, railroad tracks, and the beaded curtain.

00:31White elephants symbolize the girl's unwanted pregnancy and the American's view of it as a burden.

01:05The contrast between light and darkness represents the division between the characters' perspectives and the difficult choice they face.

01:38The railroad tracks symbolize the couple's journey and the different life paths they can choose.

01:38The beaded curtain represents a barrier between the American and the girl, symbolizing their inability to truly understand each other.

02:26The concept of a white elephant as an unwanted gift parallels the girl's pregnancy, which she sees as an unwelcome burden.