Ernest Hemingway’s ‘Hills Like White Elephants’ was first published in the August of 1927 in Transition magazine. The short story is highly symbolic as Hemingway makes heavy use of imagery and metaphors that are central to the understanding of the short story. From the location to the objects, and the setting all of these elements contribute greatly to making this one of the most profound short stories written by Hemingway. In the story, ‘Hills Like White Elephants,’ Hemingway relies heavily on the tolls of imagery and symbolism to add many layers of depth and understanding to the unfolding of the drama between the two characters.
The title of the story itself is highly symbolic as there are two of the most significant symbols present in it. The image of the hill is an important symbol that represents the size of the conflict between the man and the woman in the story. Moreover, the hills also symbolize the split that is obvious between the man and the woman just as the hills separate two sections of land “The hills across the valley of the Ebro’ were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees…” (Hemingway, 2003). The part beyond the hills is not visible and it is suggested that there may be shade from the hot sun over there and life as well, which is symbolized by the trees.
However, on this side of the hills where the couple sits, there is no shade or life which shows the state of their affair. If the two are able to resolve their conflict successfully then they will find the shade and life that lies beyond the hill. The white color of the hills is also important as are their protruding mounds which are similar in shape to a pregnant belly. As the story moves on and the couple tries to resolve their internal conflicts the hills remain their constant companion, changing meaning and understanding of the situation. The hills are hard to both go around and cross over just like the woman is finding it difficult to navigate through their conversation. The girl keeps looking at the hills as though finding support and inspiration from them. Thus, in this respect, the hills act as a symbol of stability and support which the girl clearly lacks in the conversation as well as in her relationship.
The white elephants are another major symbol in the short story. They act quite literally as the elephant in the room. The elephants could have many interpretations. In one way they symbolize the birth of the child which the girl is pregnant with. The birth of a child is something rare and sacred but the upbringing of a child is a long and arduous journey. When the girl remarks that the hills look like white elephants the man responds with ‘”I’ve never seen one,” the man drank his beer.” To which the girl says “No, you wouldn’t have.” (Hemingway, 2003). This dialogue shows the tension that exists between the two. The man denies having seen a white elephant and the girl challenges his proclamation in the most non-argumentative way possible. Thus, the symbol of the elephants is important because it enhances the tension in the drama of the couple.
The location and setting of the story also add symbolic depth to the story. The couple is sitting at a bar by the side of a train station. The river Ebro, the hills, and the rails of the train all are important symbols that signify a split or a division that reverberates within the conversation of the couple. Both sides of the river Ebro represent two different ways of life and the choices one must make for one’s life. Like the woman in the story has a choice to make to either continue in her sterile relationship or to choose a different path that will offer bounty and prosperity. The place in which the couple sits is situated between two railway lines once again suggesting that there are two paths that must be chosen from.
Alcohol formulates an important literary symbol. The girl continues to drink even though she is pregnant. This suggests that she has little concern for the consequences of her actions. Moreover, the alcohol represents a certain kind of lifestyle that the couple is accustomed to and the coming of the baby forces them to question these choices. the man obviously wants to continue in the same fashion as before, unwilling to settle down or commit to anything. The woman, on the other hand, cannot make up her mind about what she wants to do. At one point in their conversation she says “I wanted to try this new drink. That’s all we do, isn’t it—look at things and try new drinks?” (Hemingway, 2003). This dialogue hints that she is growing tired of this lifestyle and may want to change. They are both living as young people and are unsure about how to mature into adult life without having to compromise on the freedom and luxury it has to offer.
The bamboo beds, that separate the inside of the bar, from the outside are yet another symbol that signifies division or split. The bamboo beads act as the metaphorical wall between the couple distancing them from each other. “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 out flies.” (Hemingway, 2003). The spot outside the bar also represents a place of transition while beyond the curtain lies the past of the couple’s life choices and beyond the hills lay their symbolic future. When the man pushes the woman further to get the operation done “The girl looked at the bead curtain, put her hand out and took hold of two of the strings of beads.” And she asks him “And you think then we’ll be all right and be happy.” (Hemingway, 2003). In this manner of holding the beads, the girl is testing the strength of the wall between them in another moment of doubt. She wonders whether the wall is real or if is it just in her imagination.
The train symbolizes change and movement in the short story. The man and the woman had been waiting to catch a train from Barcelona to Madrid and it is during their 40-minute wait that they go through their conversation. Throughout the story, the man is trying to rush and force the girl to accept the decision he seems to have already made about her body and her life. Near the end of the story when the girl has listened to enough of his arguments she asks him to stop talking by threatening to scream. The threat of this scream symbolizes that she can no longer let him dictate her life. When the waitress announces “That the train is coming in five minutes.” “The girl smiled brightly at the woman, to thank her.” (Hemingway, 2003). This is the only time in the story that the girl has interacted in a genuine and positive manner with her which shows that she is happy to hear of the coming train as she has made her decision. The man on the other hand, has not yet grasped this, and “He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks. He looked up the tracks but could not see the train.” (Hemingway, 2003). His inability to see the coming of the train highlights his ignorance of the situation. When he is inside the bar he regards the people “They were all waiting reasonably for the train.” (Hemingway, 2003). This is symbolic of the hurried manner in which he handled the situation as he did not wait reasonably but rather forced the girl unreasonably to accept his decision.
To sum up, Hemingway uses many imagery and symbols to highlight the tension inherent in the drama of the couple on which the story is focused. The natural surroundings, the hills, elephants, curtain, alcohol, train, etc. are all important symbols that heighten the dramatic conflict between the girl and the man.
Works Cited
Hemingway, E. (2003). Hills Like White Elephants. In A. Charters, The Story and its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction (pp. 475-478). Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s.