Hills Like Elephants Essay Example
Hills Like Elephants Essay Example

Hills Like Elephants Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1058 words)
  • Published: February 28, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Born on July 21st, 1899 in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Ernest Hemingway was a renowned American writer who passed away in 1961 (Ernest Hemingway). He is esteemed for his significant writing skills and narrative technique characterized by "minimalism" (Ellipsis), which made a lasting impact through his literary pieces. Among these works, Hills Like White Elephants stands out as it profoundly addresses the delicate issue of abortion (Hills Like White Elephants). The whole storyline is built around a dialog between two characters discussing possible abortion.

Hemingway skilfully utilised implications and "allusions" to represent contrasting perspectives of two individuals failing to connect with each other, as highlighted by Bernardo. The tale's title, Hills Like White Elephants, chosen by the author, is indeed a euphemism. As elucidated in Bernardo's article: "The title substantiates this; a pregnant woman visuall

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y appears as if she has an elephant's stomach -- definitely not the ideal perception most men wish for their partners -- and "white elephant" is a euphemism signifying something unwelcome or unwanted, referencing the baby in this context" (Bernardo).

The narrative showcases a male protagonist expressing his love for the female character, concurrently attempting to convince her to have an abortion, highlighting his unreadiness to embrace fatherhood (Hills Like White Elephants). Hemingway employs delicate cues and statements that foster a deeper comprehension of the story beyond mere dialogue. The female character is interestingly named Jig, generally symbolizing a cheerful dance. However, it could also be a clever allusion to the expression "jig it up", indicating termination or conclusion (Bernardo), particularly pertinent considering her partner's suggestion of an abortion (Bernardo).

The confused mental state

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of the female character depicted in this narrative reveals her opposition to ending her pregnancy, as seen in 'Hills Like White Elephants'. Her unclear choices generate an overall mood of sadness and gloominess, expertly conveyed by the writer. It's clear that while she's not content with her choice, she acknowledges that she has conceded defeat to her partner, as stated by (Bernardo).

As a result, she succumbs to her companion's relentless appeals to evade his constant pressures. These pleas are skillfully designed by the egocentric man with the intention of influencing the inexperienced young girl into anticipating an uncertain future brimming with joy and satisfaction. The depiction of their relationship in this story paints a bleak image of an immature pair succumbing to detrimental behaviors (Bernardo). Gender prejudice is escalating in America due to considerable disparities between male and female viewpoints.

Upon perusal of the given short story, one can discern the author's exemplary presentation of two distinctly contrasting characters; an elder yet excessively selfish man and an innocent young girl making persistent attempts to maintain her loving but groundless relationship. Hemingway has surely left an imprint by telling a compelling tale that tackles a profoundly serious topic, seamlessly embedded within the complex narrative of 'The Hills like White Elephants'.

Each part provides a distinct perspective on the patriarchal society and the prevalent sentiments of women towards the unfair expectations imposed by their partners. As an example, in this tale, the male protagonist exhibits little concern for his partner's emotions about terminating a pregnancy, urging her to acquiesce to his wishes (Bernardo). Consequently, this story uncovers crucial traits of women's common behavior.

It suggests that women, often seen as naive and emotionally dependent on their male counterparts, regularly sacrifice valuable aspects of their existence like their own children.

For example, the emotionally subservient and uncertain woman relinquished her child, believing this might prevent her relationship from falling apart (Hills like White Elephants). Thus, the interpretation of this narrative exposes typical traits of American men; they are self-centered, unkind, and exceedingly inward-looking with a primary concern for their wellness. The story also illustrates that men generally lack accountability and are reluctant to accept responsibility.

To illustrate: the primary male protagonist coerces the woman to undergo an abortion, thereby freeing him from any subsequent obligations related to child rearing (Bernardo). Reading deeper into the context reveals that men have historically been assertive, compelling women to meet their unjust expectations. In another example: in this narrative, the male hero claims to be in love, which unfortunately is nothing more than a severe obsession driven solely by sexual desires. This mindset is commonly found amongst American men who exploit the vulnerabilities of emotionally fragile females.

The individual, post-intimacy with his partner, persuades her to see abortion as the sole logical option (Hills like White Elephants). Consequently, he manipulates the woman into thinking that an abortion is the only way for the continuance of their relationship, thereby utilizing the mechanism of excessive insistence to express his viewpoint (Bernardo). Furthermore, males compel the obedient gender into satisfying their assertive character by projecting misleading perceptions upon women.

The narrative depicts a situation where a man cunningly convinces an unsuspecting young woman to have sexual relations with him, then manipulates

her into ending the ensuing pregnancy by presenting it as the "best course of action" (Ellipsis), cautioning that their relationship could face major disturbances if she doesn't comply. The writer emphasizes how societal pressures urging women to seek love, affection and male affirmation often drive them to engage in unlawful activities in their pursuit of romance, which may lead to serious issues down the line. The tale accentuates that insufficient awareness is another pressing issue that hasn't been dealt with adequately. Specifically, this reckless duo engaged in unauthorized behaviors without contemplating potential negative outcomes, thus failing to take any preventative actions against such consequences. If only the man had shown enough foresight to implement necessary preventive strategies, he could have spared the girl from experiencing the distress associated with losing her unborn child. Additionally, they might have avoided an unwarranted crisis and its following detrimental impact on the woman's mental and emotional well-being. Conclusion

Through the analytic study and subsequent dialogue in the previously mentioned sections, it's clear that Ernest Hemingway successfully tackled the contentious topic of abortion as well as illegal sexual behaviors and their associated severe repercussions. The short story further adds a stimulating moral lesson and displays different viewpoints on the subject. Therefore, “the most prominent trait of this short story is its manner of narration”which captivates both young and old audiences towards a vital issue that needs more contemplation and understanding.

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