Symbolism in Hills like White Elephants

Symbolism in “Hills like White Elephants”

The book “Hills like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway features the main character who is only referred to as the ‘American’ who is the in the company of female friend referred to as Jig. The setting of the work is in the capital of Spain, Madrid (Rankin, 234). The title of the book ‘White Elephant’ is used symbolically to imply the presence of possession of a burden by Jig, which the two individuals seek to rid of or find a solution to their predicament. The setting of the book is in itself used symbolically. It intertwines with the situation of the two main characters. The presence of vast hills and a contrasting landscape is used to signify the presence of large life obstacles for the two individuals (Cersosimo, 42). The title “Hills like White Elephants” is used symbolically to exemplify the presence of a predicament for the two characters of which they find as intricate and fragile leading to disparities in terms of morals, ethics and views.

The book starts in on with the two individuals at a train station edged on the Ebro River in Spain. The scene overlooks the vast hills and the contrasting landscapes within the train station. The river is also used to illustrate the divide between two social issues, and it might refer to the decision because a river is defined as majestic in its ability to give life or take life.

The need to guzzle alcohol for the two individuals is used symbolically by the author to imply the need to drown sorrows by consumption of alcohol. This is evidenced in their conversation, which switches from the ‘White Elephants’ to the Anis Del Toro. Despite both individuals finding themselves in an unfathomable circumstances Jig is directly affected by her situation. This is illustrated when she converses with him and states while looking onto the hills. In addition, the vast landscape within their vicinity. This is also used symbolically to illustrate the journey ahead of them, which requires utmost strength and endurance.

In addition, the setting is also used symbolically to exemplify the differences in terms of ethics and morals between the two individuals. Furthermore, the differences are evidenced by the separation of the rail tracks with one side having an expansive barren land, while the other side of the tracks is marked by the presence of green, lush and fertile farmlands. This is used to illustrate the presence of differences between the two individuals. Jig is a representation of the fertile lands because she aims at preserving life whereas the barren sand dusty lands are used symbolically to refer to the American’s ideals of having an abortion thus lack of life, which is a characteristic in barren lands where life does not exist but only death roams through hunger and thirst.

On the other hand, the ‘white elephants’ are used to illustrate the inability of jig to submit to the American’s wishes of having an abortion. This is despite the fact that this fact is not expressly stated but is given through implication. She states, “Would you please please … please stop talking?” (Gillette, 68) which is an illustration that she is not willing to give in to his demands. In addition, the American gives up in his efforts to persuade her with his charm on having an abortion and states, “You’ve got to realize that I don’t want you to do it if you don’t want to.” He continues, “I’m perfectly willing to go through with it if it means anything to you” (Gillette, 68). This statement is an implicit signification that he stills harbors the thought of Jig going through with the abortion, but she is deterred by the need to preserve her feelings.

The ‘White Elephant’ is based on the mother of Buddha who had a dream that the white elephant would present her with a ‘lotus flower’. This would be a symbol to imply to giving birth to Buddha who is considered as one of the most significant figure within the religion. Hence, the title ‘White Elephant’ is used to illustrate the coming of a baby whose destiny is not known (Rankin, 236).

In conclusion, the setting was used largely to illustrate the divide in terms of ethics and morals and the consequences of the contrasting decisions between the two individuals. This is evidenced by the divide created by the river used to refer to a life making or life changing decision with the ability to give life represented by the green and fertile lands. In contrast, the barren lands refer to the life taking decision or abortion as evidenced in the text. Hence, “Hills like White Elephants” is a depiction of large and inflexible decision whose intricacy creates a rift between the two individuals as the decision affects them to a great extent.

Work Cited

Cersosimo, Jesse C. “Hemingway, Love, and Legacy: Twentieth-century Texts That Tackle Impasse in Romantic Relationships” SUNY New Paltz Master’s Thesis (2011): 21-69. Print.

Gillette, Meg. “Making Modern Parents in Ernest Hemingway’s “hills Like White Elephants” and Viña Delmar’s Bad Girl.” Mfs Modern Fiction Studies 53. 1 (2007): 50-69. Print.

Rankin, P. “Hemingway’s Hills like White Elephants.” The Explicator 63. 4 (2005): 234-236. Print.