Hills Like White Elephants

The title of this particular work by Ernest Hemingway is so random that it is evident that it is of huge importance to the piece. Hills are tiny little imperfections in the Earth’s rather straight plains. They are rather unique impositions on the earth’s surface. The simile that compares them to white elephants compares the burden of a mountain to a white—pure, innocent—elephant, nature. Hemingway uses simile and symbolism in just the title to capture just what is happening, which is the natural imposition of a baby coming along the way.

Besides simile and symbolism, Hemingway also uses characterization and dialogue to capture how words don’t always mean getting a point across and to emphasize a very common situation, but in different circumstances. The obvious love and care the man feels towards Jig is palpable as well as Jig’s stubbornness and almost uncaring persona. The way the man cares about Jig’s opinion and her overall well-being serves to make the decision of the operation less grating and more open and understanding. This demonstrates how certain obstacles and the stress they cause are not just because of certain events in our lives, but how we choose to deal with them.