English Literature

Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway is one of the most popular short stories of the author. The story is about a couple at a train station somewhere in Spain, arguing over a supposed abortion that the woman is supposed to have. The story does not lack in contrasting elements as shown by the different elements in the short story especially with the setting.  In this paper, we would examine light vs. dark, barren vs. lush lands, and reason vs. emotion.

Light vs. Dark
There are obviously some symbolisms in the story in terms of lighting. At the train station, light and dark are contrasted with each other. The train station is placed right at the middle of these contrasting elements. On this side there was no shade... Close against the side of the station there was the warm shadow of the building and a curtain... (Hemingway page ). This side of the train station where there is no trace of a shadow symbolizes the positive side of the storythe possibility that Jig, the female protagonist of the short story, would come to her senses and not be persuaded by the attempts of her American lover. However, the other side of the station is not as bright as the first side mentioned. Across, on the other side... The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain... (Hemingway page ). This side of the tracks symbolizes the darker side of the storythe desire of the man to get rid of the baby that Jig is carrying. If the side of the tracks that is bright and sunny symbolizes the hope of Jig that she would be able to keep the baby, this side belongs to her American lover and his immoral intentions.

These light and dark contrasting elements are in line with the theme of the story about the conflict within relationships between the choice of doing the right thing and doing what would please them most. If Jig succumbs to the mans persistence, they could really be happy like the what the man claims. That the baby is the only thing that bothers us. Its the only thing thats made us unhappy (Hemingway page ). If the woman decides to keep the baby, the man could possibly leave her, an event that the woman would not want as shown by her interest to stay with the American. Hemingway might have used this symbol as a way to show his readers the nave, sometimes selfish decisions that young couples make because of their innocence or inexperience.

Barren vs. Lush Landscape
The short story features contrasting landscapes of barren and lush environment just like how light and dark are contrasted. On this side there was no shade and no trees (Hemingway page ). This side of the train station does not have any trees in suggesting that the area might be barren. This symbolizes the negative aspect of having an abortionone of the choices that are presented to the couple. If Jig is to push through with the abortion, then their future would look bleak and unproductive, just like the barren landscape that they see on one side of the tracks. On the other side, things are a little greener. Across the other side, were fields of grain and trees along the banks of Ebro (Hemingway page ). This side is more fertile than the other side, which symbolizes the cleanliness that the morality of Jig and the American would keep if they choose not to push through with the abortion and keep the baby. It is an obvious use of symbolisma barren landscape for a negative trait and a lush landscape for a positive one. This symbolism works with the theme of morality, just like the symbolism of light and darkness.

Reason vs. Emotion
The storys plot, which is also one of the main themes, is about the dilemma of choosing between reason and emotion. Proper reasoning would suggest that the couple ought to keep the baby, but their emotions are telling them (especially the man) that they should get rid of the baby in order for them to be happy. It is obvious that Jig is driven by reason because of her reluctance to do the abortion besides the pressures of the man. Especially all the things youve waited so long for, like absinthe (Hemingway page ), says Jig, slightly referring to her pregnancy. She is the reasonable one between the couple, unlike her selfish partner who only thinks of his happiness. Emotion drives the man because of his strong desire to be happy. He believes that the baby would only be a hindrance to their happiness that is why he wants to get rid of it.

Conclusion
The setting of Hills Like White Elephants has various contrasting elements in it. These contrasting elements of light and dark, barren and lush environments, and reason and emotion are used by Hemingway to show the storys theme of making difficult choices and the consequences of making those choices. Hemingway may want readers to know that for every choice that they make, there are consequences that are not always favorable to them.