It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Wants an Abortion

Essay by krukowsaCollege, UndergraduateA, November 2014

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Allie Krukowski

Professor Young

English 102

11 February 2013

It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Wants an Abortion

As a distant couple is suddenly informed of an unexpected pregnancy in Ernest Hemingway's short story "Hills Like White Elephants", a decision must be made between the two opposite-minded individuals. However, this conflict is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the problems in their rocky relationship, if one could even call it that at all. When it comes down to it, they are faced with the harsh reality that they do not know much about each other, let alone well enough to settle important life decisions together. An abortion is suggested, but the two refuse to agree whether or not this is a good decision. Lastly, their carefree type of lifestyle is abruptly interrupted upon hearing the news of Jig's pregnancy. Through the dialogue and not-so-subtle insinuations made by the main characters, it becomes apparent that the couple is going through somewhat of a crisis involving realization of their nonexistent connection, heavy decision making, and an involuntary change of lifestyle.

After the so-called honeymoon stage that new couples go through wears off, it is often said that we can be left blankly staring at our significant other, not quite knowing who they are as a person. Jig and her love interest, who is simply referred to as "The American" (324) due to lack of personal connection, have fallen victim to this phenomenon. In fact, when Jig starts expressing her thoughts such as when she starts to explain that the hills "don't really look like white elephants" and that she "just meant the coloring of their skin through the trees" (325), the American is uninterested and quickly diverts the conversation by asking, "Should we...