Hills Like White Elephants
"Hills Like White Elephants" takes place sometime during the 19th Century at a train station in Spain's Ebro Valley and focuses on a traveling couple who are in the midst of making a life-altering decision that they cannot agree upon. Although it is not specified throughout the story, the issue they are trying to resolve is whether or not Jig, female, should move forward into having an abortion. The unidentified male, and Jig's partner, unceasingly encourages her to go along with the procedure in hopes that he could continue a freelance lifestyle. His convincing continues throughout the story while Jig silently wishes his thought process would equal her feelings but realizes how serious his mind is already made up. Ritually there are awkward occurrences between them and Jig begins to express bouts of disappointment and sadness because after some time she realizes that the man does care about her, but would prefer for her to go through with the abortion. Ultimately she gives in and is now willing to accept whatever happens.
This story was definitely puzzling to me at first until I read it a couple more times. Hemingway starts the story not introducing the characters by name but as "the American girl and the man". Later Jig is identified as the girl and the man remains nameless probably because he is not supposed to be the main focus of the story. They were sitting at a train station in a restaurant or bar which usually means they were there to discuss something that required some time. Jig continually would gaze "off at the line of hills" and request a beer which uncovered how uncomfortable and nervous she felt sitting and talking to the man. This also questioned the extent of their relationship and how serious they were involved; are they married, in a romantic/sexual relationship, or boyfriend and girlfriend? The use of "Mrs." and "Mr." was not mentioned so I'm guessing they are not a married couple.
During the 19th century, abortion was shunned especially from an unmarried woman whose lover refused to marry them. If so, then they were shunned and kicked out of their community leaving them confused and lonely. Birth control was not an option because it wasn't specified at that time unless they opted for some sort of underground procedure. I believe that is the reason Jig and the man were so indecisive on what to do because abortions were rejected and frowned upon. Today we have a continuing battle with our government and society on whether women had a right to have an abortion or not. To some, it was wrong to take a life and to others, a woman is free to do what she wants with her own body. Making such a tough decision was very difficult back then but today it is a little bit easier because women have more rights now than before.
The focus of this story is not so much about the abortion but the underlying problems of that time in the 19th century and the hard decisions that come with it.
This story was definitely puzzling to me at first until I read it a couple more times. Hemingway starts the story not introducing the characters by name but as "the American girl and the man". Later Jig is identified as the girl and the man remains nameless probably because he is not supposed to be the main focus of the story. They were sitting at a train station in a restaurant or bar which usually means they were there to discuss something that required some time. Jig continually would gaze "off at the line of hills" and request a beer which uncovered how uncomfortable and nervous she felt sitting and talking to the man. This also questioned the extent of their relationship and how serious they were involved; are they married, in a romantic/sexual relationship, or boyfriend and girlfriend? The use of "Mrs." and "Mr." was not mentioned so I'm guessing they are not a married couple.
During the 19th century, abortion was shunned especially from an unmarried woman whose lover refused to marry them. If so, then they were shunned and kicked out of their community leaving them confused and lonely. Birth control was not an option because it wasn't specified at that time unless they opted for some sort of underground procedure. I believe that is the reason Jig and the man were so indecisive on what to do because abortions were rejected and frowned upon. Today we have a continuing battle with our government and society on whether women had a right to have an abortion or not. To some, it was wrong to take a life and to others, a woman is free to do what she wants with her own body. Making such a tough decision was very difficult back then but today it is a little bit easier because women have more rights now than before.
The focus of this story is not so much about the abortion but the underlying problems of that time in the 19th century and the hard decisions that come with it.
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