Hills Like White Elephants: An Analysis

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In the world, many times people talk but do not listen. The communication that comes from talking but also listening to another person’s story of the story or ideas is not there if someone does not listen. In Ernest Hemingway’s Hills like White Elephants, that is exactly what happens between the American and the girl, nicknamed Jig. In this short story, the reader gets to follow a conversation between the American and the girl plays out. At the start, it appears to be simply about the hills and the drinks at the bar. However, as the conversation continues it turns to showing there is a strain on the relationship. From the argumentative way they both respond to each other and the excess of drinking, the relationship seems to be in an unhealthy …show more content…
“It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig,” the man said, “It’s not really an operation at all” (924). From this, all the reader gets is that the American wants the girl to have an operation. Eventually the reader can determine that this operation is possibly an abortion. The man is pushing the reluctant girl to get this operation by telling her things such as “you don’t have to be afraid. I’ve known lots of people that have done it.” (925) and “I think it’s the best thing to do.” (925). He is trying to do everything to convince her that the operation would be the best thing for their relationship and that it is completely safe. He even says when he brings up the operation, “That’s the only thing that bothers us. It’s the only thing that’s made us unhappy” (924). She says nothing in response but simply plays with the beaded curtain they are sitting by. The American believes that the baby is their only problem but from the way the girl reacts, it is pointing to her thinking there are more problems than that. The girl clearly does not know if she wants the operation. It seems that there is doubt within her mind over if she should keep the baby or not. However, the American only sees his way and fails to listen to the
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