The Symbolism of 'Hills Like White Elephants' Explained

🐘The hills symbolize the girl's pregnancy and the difficult decision of whether to have an abortion or not.

🍻The drinks they consume represent their attempts to escape from reality and avoid facing their relationship issues.

👜The stickers on the bags symbolize the couple's transient and nomadic lifestyle.

😔The man's manipulation and lack of empathy towards the girl highlight the power dynamics and gender roles in their relationship.

✨The open ending allows readers to interpret the story's meaning and reflect on the complexities of personal choices and relationships.

What do the white hills symbolize in the story?

—The white hills symbolize the girl's pregnancy and the emotional weight of the decision she and the man have to make regarding an abortion.

Why does the girl smile at the end of the story?

—The girl's smile at the end of the story can be interpreted as her acceptance of her own decision and a realization that she can move on without the man.

What does the argument between the man and the girl represent?

—The argument represents their conflicting views and desires regarding the pregnancy and their relationship. It highlights the power dynamics and lack of communication between them.

Is Hemingway's opinion on abortion evident in the story?

—Hemingway does not explicitly state his opinion on abortion in the story. He leaves it up to the readers to reflect on the moral and ethical implications of the characters' choices.

Why are the characters referred to as 'the American' and 'the girl'?

—Referring to the characters as 'the American' and 'the girl' adds to the universality of their situation and allows readers to focus on their emotions and decisions rather than their specific identities.

00:00In Ernest Hemingway's short story 'Hills Like White Elephants,' the setting is a train station in northern Spain in the mid-1920s.

00:30The story follows a couple, referred to as 'the American' and 'the girl,' as they discuss a mysterious operation.

01:00The hills in the story symbolize the girl's pregnancy and the difficult decision of whether to have an abortion.

01:45The couple's drinks represent their attempts to escape from reality and avoid facing their relationship issues.

02:15The stickers on the bags symbolize the couple's transient and nomadic lifestyle.

02:45The man's manipulation and lack of empathy towards the girl highlight the power dynamics and gender roles in their relationship.

03:30The open ending allows readers to interpret the story's meaning and reflect on the complexities of personal choices and relationships.