White Elephant Symbolism

Ernest Hemmingway tells the story "Hills like White Elephants" nearly through pure dialog about two lovers conflicted over a serious decision. As the story progresses and through their tight conversation he reveals to us a great deal about their personalities, but leaves the details of the relationship between the two hidden.

He gives his audience just enough information to find out the details of his story through detective work instead of coming outright by writing "Their relationship has suffered a great deal because of this decision…" etc. He leaves it up to his readers to basically solve the mysteries of his literature, which in return grasps our interest to his work even more. Perhaps this intentional way of writing is the reason for
As many would know, they do not exist unless they were born with an albino deformity. This of course is something unwanted because they burn easily from the sun's UV rays, thus helping make the white elephant symbolize something unwanted. The same goes as well for humans. And according to www.wikipedia.com, "A white elephant is a supposedly valuable possession whose upkeep exceeds its usefulness, and it is therefore a liability." This unwanted issue of our couple is hinted to us through the story as the burden of a possible child.

The lack of communication throughout the story creates tension between the American and the girl, whose name is later on revealed to us as Jig. This is seen through many areas of our story such as when Jig talks about how everything tastes the same, and "Everything tastes of licorice." (pg 351). She does not come out and say what is exactly on her mind, but rather hints her frustration immaturely by throwing little fits or being short with her American lover. By being referred to as the girl and by her communicative actions we can assume she is very young, which would make this decision even harder for
Jig on the other hand is carrying the life of a possible new human being inside her and feels the natural bond between a mother and her unborn child. The American tries to convince her that the abortion is simple, while Jig feels otherwise. She is tired of traveling and ready to settle down and start a family of her own. She is bored with her current lifestyle and longs for motherhood. The only thing holding her back from this is the disapproval of her man. She is trying to take a more mature outlook on life by debating the possibilities of keeping her child. Once she has come to these conclusions, Ernest Hemmingway gave her a name, instead of calling her just the girl, symbolizing the importance of her becoming a more mature woman able to make wiser