Symbolism and Subtext in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants"

A profound sense of melancholy envelops the couple at the center of Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants." The story takes place in a single scene, depicting a difficult conversation between a couple referred to simply as the "man" and the "girl." Most of the dialogue operates through subtext, as neither character uses direct language except when referring to their drinks. The symbol-laden setting complements the figurative dialogue. The couple is waiting for a train, at a crossroads in their individual lives. The title of the short story encapsulates the metaphoric discourse that unfolds. Hemingway's title can be interpreted in a myriad of ways, none of which are literal. Ironically, however, the couple does discuss white elephants in a literal sense when the man says, "I've never seen one." Through symbolism and subtext, Ernest Hemingway creates a tense, moody atmosphere in which the reader can explore issues related to relationships, self-esteem, gender relations, and personal identity.

That "Hills Like White Elephants" is about an abortion is all but clear, even though no one mentions so much as a pregnancy. After making small talk about the titular hills and their drinks, the man suddenly blurts out, "It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig. It's not really an operation at all." References to letting the "air in" further indicate that the procedure in question is an abortion. Moreover, the girl says, "once they take it away, you never get it back."

Yet even before he mentions the operation, the reader senses great tension between the two. Their tempers are short, as when the girl states, "That's all we do, isn't it — look at things and try new drinks?" They bicker like children: "Oh, cut it out," the man says. Jig replies, "You started it."

Neither the man nor the "girl" has a solid identity in the story. He is referred to simply as an "American." No reference to his physical appearance is offered, nor to his age. The fact that Jig is called a "girl" is significant, but so is her actually being given a name. It is as if Hemingway wants her to be empowered and liberated from her insensitive boyfriend. The author is rooting for her, but her feelings prove too tumultuous for her to think clearly. Instead, she drowns her sorrows in escapism.

Both Jig and her man seem to have been traveling for a long time, without a strong sense of direction or place in the world. Gazing at the hills "like white elephants" represents the girl's thoughtfulness. She, unlike the man, has hopes and dreams. Looking towards the horizon and the hills symbolizes looking towards — and planning for — the future.

The "white elephant" on the table is whether or not raising a family can be part of that future together. Jig is open to the possibility of carrying the child to term, which is why the man tries to convince her that the procedure is "simple." The man repeats the word "simple" over and over, oblivious to the fact that an abortion might be simple for him but not for her. Jig responds with sarcasm and turns her anger inward. When the man states, "I've known lots of people that have done it," the girl responds, "So have I… afterwards they were all so happy."

Her sarcasm might be misconstrued if the man did not immediately add, "Well… if you don't want to you don't have to." Just as the man emphasizes the word "simple," he also repeatedly claims, "I don't want you to do anything that you don't want to do —" His words ring false, and the girl interrupts: "Nor that isn't good for me… I know. Could we have another beer?" The tone of her voice oozes sarcasm; Hemingway inserts a dash to indicate that the girl has cut him off. Moreover, she changes the subject quickly to having another beer, deflecting rather than confronting.

While the man remains utterly insensitive to his girlfriend, her own state of mind is less clear. On the one hand, her self-esteem seems dreadfully low. She repeats, "I don't care about me," and she asks the man if getting the operation will make him happy. When she states, "I don't care about me," she could also mean "I care about you more" — but she never says that.

She utters the finishing lines of the story: "I feel fine… There's nothing wrong with me. I feel fine." Her words most likely indicate further suppression of her anger and true feelings. However, the girl might also have come to a decision about ending their relationship. It is entirely possible that her hill-gazing has inspired her to make major changes in her life. After all, the open-ended story does not reveal whether the girl goes through with the operation. She smiles — not just at the waitress but also at the man. Her smiles could be entirely forced, but they might also signal that she has reached a powerful realization about herself, her goals, and her identity.