The anti-feminist perspective emphasizes the notion that the man dominates the woman in the story, and she ultimately succumbs to his will by getting the abortion. The American and the woman have a relationship, and they have been traveling for Europe. Could we have another beer? Symbolism may be defined as relating to, using, or proceeding by means of symbols Princeton. While most critics have espoused relatively straightforward interpretations of the dialogue, a few have argued for alternate scenarios. Who on earth is named Jig. From the outset of the story, the contentious nature of the couple's conversation indicates resentment and unease.
I had no clue the story was about abortion. He drank an Anis at the bar and looked at the people. Throughout this dialogue, the girl's crumbling realization that she is not truly loved is a strong undercurrent that creates tension and suppressed fear. The hills of Spain, to the girl, are like white elephants in their bareness and round, protruding shape. I didn't think of the. He went out through the bead curtain. Jig says in return that she will get the operation because she does not care about herself, which guilt-trips her boyfriend into saying that he does not want her to get it if she feels that way.
The reader is asked to extrapolate much of the information in an indirect fashion. Glossary the Ebro a river in northeastern Spain; the second longest river in Spain. The two decide to try a new drink, the anis del toro, with water. She also asks his permission to order a drink. They both allude to it but seem unable to discuss it directly, allowing the conversation to lapse into silences or angry outbursts instead. One of the most important symbols in this story was the bead curtain that hangs and separates the kitchen from the dining area.
In addition, the popularity of this story can be found in the change in readers' expectations. . Will they break up or stay together? Hemingway uses many instances of symbolism in this short story to coincide with the themes and feelings of the characters, such as the description of the scenery surrounding the train station. The hills also symbolize the obstacles that are in the way of the two character's relationship. These two lines together make her think that settling down and making a family may be what she actually wants. Perhaps he does actually love her, as he claims.
And once they take it away, you never get it back. At first glance, the discussion that takes place in story seems like a minor argument between a couple at a train station in Spain. The man is using his logic in order to be as persuasive as possible. In other words, they have always been in the same place, and they will always be that way they are. From his earlier statements, it is obvious that he does not want the responsibility that a child would entail; seemingly, he strongly wants her to have this abortion and definitely seems to be very unresponsive to the girl's feelings. On one side of the station there is vegetation and fields of grain, while the other side is dry and barren Short Stories for Students 159.
He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. She looks like a woman forced into having an abortion against her will. The girl compares the nearby hills to white elephants. She apparently wants to have the baby and settle down to a normal life, but he wants her to abort their baby so that they can continue their adventures for the world. Jig is quiet and obviously skeptical. Certain themes arise from this story such as choices and consequences, doubt and ambiguity, and how men and women relate.
However, the story is actually very intricate; the author was able to say a lot without using many words. Far away, beyond the river, were mountains that were secretly elephants. Readers in the 1990s had become accustomed to reading between the lines of fictional narrative and didn't like to be told, in minute detail, everything about the characters. The man is shown as being selfish and irresponsible by starting this relationship and then lacking the support Jig needs Hamid 78. While there, they patiently waited for the next train at a bar inside of the station.
This has led to varying interpretations of the story. I said the mountains looked like white elephants. This scene tells us a lot about the couple's situation. Readers are never aware of an author's voice behind the story. She agrees to have the abortion, but says she is only agreeing because she no longer cares about herself. However, the idea that the hills have changed from a smaller entity to mountains is contradicting the theory of using the past tense of the verb for the object of the simile is appearing on a much larger scale. Hemingway utilizes under-lexicalisation to illustrate how the couple is avoiding both directly discussing and acknowledging their issue.
Is it merely to confuse the reader or is its true intent to make the reader think about the meaning of the story? Just like we were before. GradeSaver, 10 December 2010 Web. There are many facts that point to the conclusion that the man is forcing the girl to commit abortion. The man, while urging the girl to have the operation, says again and again that he really doesn't want her to do it if she really doesn't want to. They arrived by train, stopping between Barcelona and Madrid. Jig greets him with a smile and in answer to his question says she is fine.