Literary Analysis of Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest...

Ernest Hemingways Hills Like White Elephants consists mostly of a dialogue between a pregnant girl and her husband, who would like her to have an abortion. The story defines a two-part theme. The first is a commentary about the way selfishness can corrupt a relationship. The second comments on life and what it means to bear life. This story is developed in a short period of time by Hemingways use of two central elements, character and setting. Though the setting is heavily symbolic, and characters are drawn mostly in dialogue, both are strongly evocative of the theme. Though Hemingways descriptions in Hills like White Elephants are few, he uses every word to create a well defined setting. The story is set in the 1920s, which†¦show more content†¦He doesnt really mean it. He continually pushes her when she doesnt want to talk about it. He really has no respect for her. He corrupts their relationship with his selfishness, which eventually causes it to fall apart (see A Canary for one in Husbands and Wives.) The girl juxtaposes the mans manipulative nature in that she is submissive, willing to please, even though she feels otherwise. She is thinking about the life she carries inside of her, but she wants the love of her husband. She tries to avoid the conversation, so she wont have to deal with what he is making her do. When she does talk, they end up ordering several drinks. She seems to want to drowned out her misery. One of the most character defining places in the story is when she says, And we could have everything and every day we make it more impossible. She wants a full life with her husband but because of his attitude towards the life within her it is impossible. He says they could have everything, but No once they take it away, you can never get it back. She knows they cant have everything. They cant have their child. She values life, but to save her marriage she feels she has to submit to her husband. By the end of the story she doesnt want to see his selfishness anymore and s he tells him to stop talking. She knows deep down that the abortion will cause their marriage to fail, but she doesnt try to stop it.Show MoreRelated Symbolism in Hills Like White Elephants, by Ernest Hemingway1687 Words   |  7 Pagesdifferent literary elements and terms are incorporated into the story by the author. Ernest Hemingway frequently uses various literary elements in his writing to entice the reader and enhance each piece that he writes. In Hills Like White Elephants, Hemingway uses symbols to teach the reader certain things that one may encounter during daily life. Symbolism may be defined as relating to, using, or proceeding by means of symbols (Princeton). The use of symbols in Hills Like White Elephants is utterlyRead MoreErnest Hemingway: A Brief Biography 1210 Words   |  5 PagesErnest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1899. He was a writer who started his career with a newspaper office in Kansas City when he was seventeen. When the United States g ot involved in the First World War, Hemingway joined with a volunteer ambulance unit in the Italian army. During his service, he was wounded, and was decorated by the Italian Government. Upon his return to the United States, he was employed by Canadian and American newspapers as a reporter, and sent back to EuropeRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado and Hills Like White Elephants577 Words   |  3 PagesAnalysis of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe amp; â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemmingway Analysis of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe Abstract â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe, is a short story about a man named Montessor who gets revenge on one of his â€Å"friends† named Fortunado by trapping him and burying him alive. Treatment Setting: Two kinds Plot: Man gets revenge on his â€Å"friend† Characters: Montresor, Fortunado, Montresor’s family