There is very powerful imagery in Hills Like White Elephants.

This is expressed both in the becoming pregnant opened her eyes. It changed her view on life, and "looking at things and

title and the dialogue. The mountains in Spain make the girl think of white elephants. A white trying new drinks" doesn't satisfy her anymore. She would like to have her child, and her

elephant is a metaphor for an expensive possession that is a financial burden to maintain. interest in their current lifestyle has waned. Their lifestyle would not be possible with a baby,

This expression originated in Thailand, where albino (white) elephants were considered or at least it would be difficult to continue in its current form. Therefore, the man thinks an

sacred, and were not permitted to be forced into work. Therefore, a white elephant was only a abortion is the best solution. This is clear due to his general affirmations of an abortion being

burden to its owner, consuming food without providing any useful service to its owner. A an "easy" and "simple" process, and that things will be as they were after it is carried out. Jig

white elephant might be a privilege to own and pleasing to look at, but in having it you could has obvious doubts, but she goes along with it for the sake of continuing their lifestyle that

become destitute. they are accustomed to. She seems to care a great deal about the man, to the point where

she as a character, is torn between these two decisions.

The woman is named Jig, whereas the man is simply "a man" or "The American". The

relationship between them is uncertain. They are clearly not married, but they have It is definitely not a happy ending, but the story resolves itself in a way that is typical of the

consummated a relationship which resulted in the girl becoming pregnant. It seems like they character. She chooses to shut out her feelings, and simply go through with the abortion. It's

are travelers, who stop in different locales before moving on to the next. To the reader, their open to speculation what happened after that. It's unknown whether this resolution is a

relationship seems shallow. They have a childish exchange where the man tells Jig to "cut it positive or negative one. However, I don't find it satisfying because she has decided to ignore

out" and Jig repliesthat "you started it". It doesn't appear that they are capable of having a her feelings and do something that she feels miserable about. In most stories, the conflict is

meaningful discussion, and it does seem like a lot of things go unsaid. They both seem to be either resolved in a way that is clearly positive for the protagonist, or clearly negative. In this

fairly well-off, as is evidenced by their taste in drinks. case, you have to consider the possibility that Jig's feelings might not have been correct.

Maybe the man is right, and their lives will return to the same way they were. She may have
Jig is a young woman who is pregnant. It can be assumed she is under thirty years old, as
forgotten about her feelings and went back to enjoying her life as she had heard others had
she is referred to as a "girl" in the story. The entire focus of this story is Jig being pregnant,
after getting abortions. Or she may have felt empty and unfulfilled for the rest of her life. The
and the topic of an abortion, which can be assumed to be the man's suggestion. Jig seems
real "ending" is in question.
like she would like to keep the child, and is not at all comfortable with an abortion. However,

she is going along with the man's wishes despite what her personal feelings may be. It seems I feel that Hemingway's purpose in creating the character of Jig was probably reflective on his

like Jig has feelings that she won't or can't vocalize to the man. feelings on abortion to an extent. More so, however, it seems like a look at human nature,

Jig seems very disillusioned with her life. She leads a lifestyle which to her is nothing more about how we go against ourselves and do something undesired just to please someone else

than to "look at things and try new drinks", which is something she used to enjoy. However, or maintain the status quo. Jig's story has many parallels in real life, abortion-related and
otherwise. It is sobering to consider what we would do in her position. Would you accept the impregnated is being "unreasonable" to even consider carrying the fetus to birth. His

white elephant to make yourself happy while having to abandon your way of living, or would selfishness and irresponsibility are evoked by that adverb and by his purchase of that drink.

you reject the white elephant to keep things "the way they were" even if "how things were" is
The ending is indeterminate. When the man returns, the woman merely smiles and says she
no longer what you want?
feels fine. Will she consent to the abortion in Madrid? Will she have the baby? Will she shed

her boyfriend? Will he dump her? Remember that this story appears in a collection titled "Men

Without Women.
The woman is pregnant by the man, who wants her to get an abortion. The options are

symbolized by the landscape. In one direction is sterility and barrenness: "The hills across the The story has no need to present answers. Its purpose was to dramatize a situation even

valley of the Ebro were long and white. . . . in the sun and the country was brown and dry." In more common today than when the story was written. The author does not assign immorality

the other, fruitfulness and fertility: "Across, on the other side, were fields of grain and trees." or villainy. The woman is not a victim and the man is not a seducer of the innocent. We

The white hills, the woman says,are "like white elephants." sympathize with Jig, the female character. It is she that will have to undergo the "simple

operation" or give birth to the child. We favor fertility more than sterility; the grassy vegetation
Similar ingenuity is found in interpretations of the "shadow of a cloud" that moves across the
near the river is more attractive than the barren landscape in the opposite direction. But
fields of grain near the river. The past history of the couple that leads to their present situation
assuming the complications, expenses and responsibilities that come with a white elephant
is concisely communicated by Hemingway's description of their luggage. "There were labels
would require a major adjustment of lifestyle. Let's be reasonable. Meanwhile, let's have
on them from all the hotels where they had spent nights."
another drink.
A detail packed with meaning is the rare adverb used in the narration of the man's taking the Even these small details in setting carry vivid symbolism that adds to the overall theme of the
story. The story's opening description of the hot summer hints that there is trouble between
luggage to the other side of the tracks. The man observes the other people drinking in the
the couple and leads into their heated discussion. There is no shade for either of them to hide
cafe bar while buying himself another anis. Why does he want this solo drink away from Jig, in. They have to face a decision that could ultimately ruin their relationship. The first scenic
hint that this story is about giving life comes with the way the girl sees part of the valley as
his girlfriend? The answer lies in this sentence: "They were all waiting reasonably for the brown and dry. This image symbolizes what her womb will be like when the abortion is over.
Later she looks out over the fertile side of the valley and a cloud passes over it, symbolizing
train."
the loss of fertility that can come with abortion. She has a choice to make between death or
fertility and life. Hemingway even uses something as seemingly insignificant as the curtain as
The duration of the story is 35 minutes. Hemingway never uses the words "abortion" or a symbol . The curtain is a barrier, much like the cervical opening is to the womb, which the
man disturbs by walking through it in the end. Each element of the setting is in someway
"baby" but readers become aware of what the "simple operation" is that the woman doesn't used to symbolize and develop the theme of the conversation between the two characters. 
The topic of the conversation and the way both characters handle it, is the main element that
want but the man tries to persuade her to undergo. By mentioning the other people waiting
draws their characters into sharp round focus. Though the girl does not want totalk about the
"reasonably" for the train, the author establishes that the man thinks the woman he has issue, they do anyway. From this, the reader gets a clear picture of how each character feels,
and reacts to such a brash topic. The man seems to think its no big deal to have an abortion has to decide for herself what to do. She has to think, and she can’t do this when they are
and is drawn as a manipulative jerk. The girl, on the other hand, is submissive, but would like
talking.
to keep the child growing in her womb. Both characters are drawn quickly, but very
effectively, by thier viewpoints.
This silence might also be helpful for the man. The conversation we have overheard was in
the heat of the moment. We can’t assume that anything either of them has said is set in
Nearly every line in "Hills Like White Elephants" has a purpose for story development and
stone. Maybe there are things that bind them together that will allow them to work together
commentary. The setting and dialogue illustrate both the value of life, as well as how toward some kind of mutually acceptable solution. 
selfishness can ruin a good relationship. Through the development of each element,
Or maybe not. If the fact that that the story is part of Hemingway’s 1927 collection Men
Hemingway emphasizes his double theme and also creates a well rounded, meaningful piece
Without Women is any evidence, they won’t work it out. The breakup of their relationship
of literature.  could occur in several forms: 1) they get married, have the baby and then break up, 2) that
they don’t have the baby and then break up, or 3) that they break up and Jig has the baby on
What’s Up With the Ending? her own. Interestingly, that third possibility (not that these are the only three possibilities) isn’t
brought up by the characters, but even in the 1920s that was an option, though a relatively
Have you ever been in a public place and overheard an intimate conversation between a two less socially accepted one that it is today.
people? Eventually you have to walk away. You can’t follow the couple through the rest of
their lives. Even if you were curious about their lives, you probably won’t walk up to them and One way to look at the ending, though, is as a tool to get the readers to do what the
say, "Hey, here’s my number. I’d be really interested in hearing whether you guys decide to characters don’t: motivate discussion. Did the ending expose your feelings on abortion,
get an abortion or get married, and either way, whether you stay together in the long run. So, marriage, relationships, sex, and communication in general?
be sure and give me a call. Bye now." 

Those are the basic questions most readers have after finishing "Hills Like White Elephants," What’s Up With the Title?
and most readers don’t predict very happy answers to them. In the story, Jig seems to want
to get married and have the baby. However, the man seems to want her to have an abortion, The title is a huge focus for most people interpreting this story, in large part because the title
and for them to then continue the relationship as it was before the pregnancy. Neither of is layered into the story in various places. First, we should notice that the title is a simile (a
these options seems acceptable to both parties.  comparison of two or more things using "as" or "like"). This suggests that simile will be
involved in the story. The simile is ‘free-floating’ in the title. We don’t really have enough
This tangle leads to the communication breakdown shown in the final two lines of the story. information to understand why it is significant, even though it might bring to mind an image of
The man knows Jig does not "feel better," but asks her anyway. She responds by pretending white hills, maybe with trunk and tusks, possibly charging through an exotic landscape. The
not to know what he’s talking about. In light of her previous request that they not discuss it, title doesn’t really give us a clue that we will be entering a story which is essentially about a
her response is not out of character, but it doesn't seem to be getting them any closer to a man and a woman discussing the future of their unborn child and their own futures.
solution. 

Let's look at the word, hills. We all have a certain image when we hear this word. Maybe the
On the other hand, maybe it is. She now knows what the man’s stated position is, and she hills you imagine are green and rolling, or maybe they are brown and dusty. In this case
"hills" means "mountains," though "hill" is often used to refer to a geologic formation that isn’t Elephants are wildlife. Jig and the man have been living the wild life, but now it could all come
quite as high as a mountain. A hill is any raised mound of earth, or mound of chocolate to come to a halt – like it has for the white mountains. But are mountains happy in their
pudding, or of whatever. As readers and critics of this story often note, a pregnant woman’s stability? 
stomach can also be consider a hill. 
Who knows, but the man doesn’t want to be a mountain, be married and settle down (and he
You could also think of "hills" figuratively, as a barrier that isn't easily crossed or overcome. thinks that Jig having the baby will mean he must). Jig, on the other hand, thinks they can
Among other things, this figurative meaning could apply to the inability of the two people to only remain in motion, wild and free, is if they do have the baby and get married.
communicate in such a way as to come to an agreement with which they both feel
comfortable. The Bamboo Bead Curtain

So, now let’s look at what the hills are like. We can think of the literal definition of "white This symbol is overshadowed by the hills and elephants, but the bamboo curtain is still
elephant." Since elephants are usually grey, we can assume that white or albino elephants powerful. It sets us up to think about boundaries, thresholds, and separations – all the issues
are rare, but they do exist. the couple is facing. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a white elephant has a more figurative meaning: As we emphasize throughout this guide, the social, legal, and informational boundaries the
"A burdensome or costly possession. Also, an object, scheme, etc., considered to be without couple faces in terms of birth control, sex education, and stigmas about having children
use or value." It’s easy to see how this could be discussed in context of an unplanned without being married, act as curtains that help limit the couple’s options, and their
pregnancy that at least one of the parents wants to terminate.  conversation. 

We should also consider whose simile this is. It’s Jig’s. The fact that she speaks the title, in And because Jig wants the baby and the man doesn’t, the pregnancy itself acts as a curtain
some ways, suggests that the focus of the story is on her. between them, through which only simple things (like what they want to drink) can be
communicated clearly. By the end of the story the "curtain" between the man and Jig seems
to have turned into a wall. 
Hills Like White Elephants Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory
But let’s backtrack a little and look at some passages where the curtain appears. The curtain
Sometimes, there’s more to Lit than meets the eye.
is first mentioned in the opening paragraph of the story:

White Elephants, Married Life, Babies, and Wildlife

Close against the side of the station there was the warm shadow of the building and a
curtain, made of strings of bamboo beads, hung across the open door into the bar, to keep
In "What’s Up with the Title?" we break down the literal meaning of the components of what is
out flies. (1)
for many the story’s key symbol – the "hills like white elephants." In "Setting" we talk about
how this symbol can be used to interpret the story. Here, we’ll go with that while playing with
At this moment we anticipate going through the curtain to the inside of the bar, but the
the idea of wildlife. 
narrator pulls us back to the table outside the bar. Right away we have this feeling of
being kept out, stuck outside with the flies. 
On top of that, you could write an entire paper just on bamboo as a symbol in "Hills Like That said, it’s doubtful that an observant person like Jig could have avoided knowing
White Elephants." Some very old accounts claim that human life was born from a bamboo that toro means bull. Like she does with the hills in the distance, Jig draws this symbol into
stem, among other interesting things. That could connect to Jig’s pregnancy for sure. If you their personal story by pointing it out. As we know from The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway's
want to dig deeper. male characters who were in Spain for the bullfights weren't exactly inclined to get married
and have children. If the man is anything like these other Hemingway characters, it seems
Hemingway, a real humorist, is also using the curtain as a comedic prop. We see it in the first unlikely that he would give Jig the kind of life she seems to want. If the man is a bullfighting
paragraph one, with the remark about the flies. His humor is even more evident here: "Dos aficionado, then for Jig the bull might represent a major obstacle to her wishes.
cervezas," the man said into the curtain" (5).
The Train Station and the Luggage
There is something subtly funny about the man talking into the curtain because we don’t
know (though the man obviously does) that someone is waiting on the other side. This These are symbols of bodies in motion, of travel and maybe even transience. Since the man
through-the-curtain conversation is a little uncomfortable, so much so that we almost miss the and Jig's suitcases have stickers that give a record of their travels, the luggage can be seen
humor. Maybe because, although they are communicating well through the curtain, this as a map of the journey that brought them to this point. The train station is a midpoint
moment still foreshadows the figurative curtain between Jig and the man when they try to between that time and the future time that they will move toward on the train. Train stations,
communicate. airports, bus stations, and ports, when found in stories, give us the sense of transition, of
being between worlds, between experiences.
The curtain is also a comment on advertisement and communication, and an homage to the
sport of bullfighting, which so fascinated Hemingway. It can also be seen as an homage to Sometimes a Cigar is Just A Cigar
the other pastime that so fascinated him – drinking. Anis del Toro (booze of the bull)
is painted on the curtain, layering on a bit more symbolism. 
As we note in our discussion of "Setting," some critics and readers resist or reject the
symbolic approach to this story. All this talk of symbolism can seem overly fancy, at odds with
As we know from Hemingway’s A Sun Also Rises, Americans are often in Spain for the
the clean, smooth lines of the story. If you are one of those readers, go with that. It’s OK to
bullfighting. It’s a major industry and part of Spain’s draw as a tourist destination. It’s only
just let a mountain be a mountain, a river a river, and pregnancy a pregnancy, etc.
natural that a train station bar would advertise a drink that advertises bullfighting and appeals
to people attracted to the sport.