The Use of Symbolism in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants”

1. Introduction

In Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” the author uses a great deal of symbolism in order to describe the events taking place and the emotions felt by the characters. The story is set in Spain, and it revolves around a conversation between a man and a woman waiting for a train. The woman, Jig, is pregnant, and the man wants her to have an abortion. The story takes place entirely at a train station, and the characters never leave the area surrounding it. This gives the story a very static feel, as if the characters are stuck in limbo and unable to move on with their lives.

The use of symbolism in this story is essential in understanding the true conflict taking place. The story is not really about abortion; it is about the relationship between the man and the woman. The abortion is simply a symbol of the larger issue at hand. By using symbols, Hemingway is able to subtlety hint at the true nature of the conflict without directly stating it. This allows him to explore the issue in a more nuanced way.

2. The Use of Symbolism in Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants”

There are three main types of symbols used in this story: symbols of the setting, symbols of the characters, and symbols of the plot. Each one plays an important role in revealing the hidden depths of meaning in the story.

The first type of symbol is the symbol of setting. The story takes place entirely at a train station in Spain. The station is situated between two mountains, and there is a river running through it. The station itself is very small and cramped, with only two benches for waiting passengers. All of these elements come together to create a sense of isolation and confinement. The smallness of the space makes it feel like there is no escape from the problems facing the characters. They are trapped in this tiny space with nowhere to go and no way to avoid each other.

The second type of symbol is the symbol of character. The two main characters in the story are Jig and her companion, who is never given a name. Jig is pregnant, and her companion wants her to have an abortion. Throughout the story, Jig’s companion tries to convince her to have the procedure done, but she remains hesitant. Jig’s name itself is symbolic; it suggests that she is not quite sure what she wants or what she should do. She is a passive character who allows herself to be swayed by her companion’s wishes instead of making her own decisions. This ultimately leads to her downfall.

The third type of symbol is the symbol of plot. The plot of the story revolves around Jig’s pregnancy and her companion’s desire for her to have an abortion. However, there is much more going on beneath the surface. The abortion itself is symbolic of something much larger: Jig’s decision to stay with her companion despite his infidelity and lack of commitment to their relationship. Having an abortion would be giving into his wishes and sacrificing her own desires and needs. It would be giving up something that was truly hers in order to maintain a relationship that was not working out anyway. In this way, Hemingway use symbolism to explore how we often go against our better judgement and engage in undesirable actions just in order to keep up the status quo.

3. The Symbolism of the Setting

The setting of the story is symbolic in several ways. First, the story takes place entirely at a train station. The train station is situated between two mountains, and there is a river running through it. The station itself is very small and cramped, with only two benches for waiting passengers. All of these elements come together to create a sense of isolation and confinement. The smallness of the space makes it feel like there is no escape from the problems facing the characters. They are trapped in this tiny space with nowhere to go and no way to avoid each other.

Second, the station is located in Spain. This is significant because Spain was going through a period of tremendous political upheaval at the time Hemingway wrote the story. The Spanish Civil War was raging, and the country was in a state of chaos. This sense of instability and violence is reflected in the story itself. The characters are trapped in a relationship that is not working, and they are surrounded by an atmosphere of tension and conflict.

Third, the story takes place during the summertime. This is significant because summer is usually associated with happiness and relaxation. However, in this story, the summer heat is oppressive and oppressive. It amplifies the sense of unease and frustration felt by the characters. They are unable to escape the heat, just as they are unable to escape their problems.

4. The Symbolism of the Characters

The two main characters in the story are Jig and her companion, who is never given a name. Jig is pregnant, and her companion wants her to have an abortion. Throughout the story, Jig’s companion tries to convince her to have the procedure done, but she remains hesitant. Jig’s name itself is symbolic; it suggests that she is not quite sure what she wants or what she should do. She is a passive character who allows herself to be swayed by her companion’s wishes instead of making her own decisions. This ultimately leads to her downfall.

Jig’s companion is also a symbolic character. He represents the selfish desires of men who want their partners to have abortions so that they can continue living their own lives without any responsibility for their actions. He is manipulative and unkind, pressuring Jig into making a decision that she does not want to make. He does not consider her feelings or needs; he only cares about himself. In this way, Hemingway use symbolism to explore how men often take advantage of women in relationships.

5. The Symbolism of the Plot

The plot of the story revolves around Jig’s pregnancy and her companion’s desire for her to have an abortion. However, there is much more going on beneath the surface. The abortion itself is symbolic of something much larger: Jig’s decision to stay with her companion despite his infidelity and lack of commitment to their relationship. Having an abortion would be giving into his wishes and sacrificing her own desires and needs. It would be giving up something that was truly hers in order to maintain a relationship that was not working out anyway. In this way, Hemingway use symbolism to explore how we often go against our better judgement and engage in undesirable actions just in order to keep up the status quo.

The story also uses symbolism to explore the theme of gender roles. Jig is a passive character who allows herself to be manipulated by her companion. She does not make her own decisions or stand up for herself. This is symbolic of how women were often treated in relationships at the time Hemingway wrote the story. They were expected to be submissive and compliant, and they were not given the same rights as men. This double standard is still present in many relationships today, and Hemingway’s use of symbolism highlights the unfairness of it.

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of symbolism is essential in understanding the true conflict at the heart of Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants.” The abortion is not really about abortion; it is about the relationship between the man and the woman. The abortion is simply a symbol of the larger issue at hand. By using symbols, Hemingway is able to subtlety hint at the true nature of the conflict without directly stating it. This allows him to explore the issue in a more nuanced way.

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