The Decision That Could Have Been, alcoholism

Essay by Anonymous UserCollege, UndergraduateA-, January 1996

download word file, 4 pages 4.4

Everyday people make decisions that affect their future lives. Do people

make the right decisions? What makes a decision a right one? What may be right

to some, may be wrong to others. There are no right or wrong decisions but those

that people choose and believe to be right varying from each individual. In

Hemingway's realistic story, Hills Like White Elephants, Jig attempts to make a

crucial change in her life by making the right decision, but is unable to because of

her weak characteristic flaws. Jig is indecisive about her decision. Even though

she realizes the possibilities, she has difficulties letting go of old habits, has a low

self-esteem that leads to her being submissive, and puts up a frail fight by hiding

her feelings behind her sarcastic comments.

Jig faces an immense decision that will change her future. She must choose

between the old and the new lifestyle.

It is hard for her to let go of old habits that

consists of taking no responsibility and the sole intention of seeking pleasure. She

must go from a young worriedless rebel to a stable adult taking responsibility. It's

a hard process since there are three steps to changing: realization, doing the deed,

and committing to the change. She definitely realizes she needs to change, but only

goes that far. She does walk to the end of the station and looks upon the fertile side

of the valley and comments 'and we could have all this,' but she continues

drinking when she knows well that she carries a child in her womb. She even says

the alcohol tastes like licorice, that everything tastes the same, and she's getting

tired of her same old life. Surely, she must know the possible damage she can cause

the baby to...