Symbolism in "Hills Like White Elephants"

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Kenyari Martin

Dr. Ashli Dykes

Composition II

April 8, 2014

Symbolism in "Hills Like White Elephants"

In literary works, different things mentioned in the story may hold other meanings that are not clearly present, also known as symbolism. Collins English Dictionary states that symbolism is "the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something." "Symbolism" is described based on a character, object, or place mentioned in the story; these are known as symbols. Collins English Dictionary states that a symbol is "something that stands for, represents, or suggests another thing" ("Symbolism," "Symbol"). The story "Hills Like White Elephants" presents many different examples symbolizing the decision of a couple aborting their baby.

The story "Hills Like White Elephants" starts by describing "the hills across the valley of Ebro" where the main characters, mentioned as "the man and Jig," are ordering beer.

This story takes place in the 1920s at a train station while the man and the girl are holding a conversation about an "operation" that is not clearly specified in the story; however, the reader can generalize from the man saying, "It's just to let the air in" that the operation is an abortion (Hemingway 205). The couple goes back and forth in an argument and never come to a compromise on whether the girl should have the operation. The story ends with the man asking the girl "Do you feel better?" She replies, "I feel fine. There is nothing wrong with me. I feel fine" (Hemingway 208).

The first example of symbolism is in the title. According to Collins English Dictionary, the phrase "white elephant" is defined as "any object no longer desired by its owner, but of possible value to others"...