Ari Stanger

Close Reading Essay

“Hills Like White Elephants” is a wonderful rendition of Ernest Hemingway’s unique adaptation of the Modernistic style that explores the early twentieth century’s confrontation with identity.  The narrative embraces this exploration through the presentation of the theme that the innocent world must reject America’s supportive illusion in order to progress into a successful society.  Through Hemingway’s distinctive utilization of various literary elements, the theme is revealed through an investigation into the narratives organization, setting, point-of-view, characterization and imagery.  

The narratives organization is arranged following the traditional plot structure allowing the reader to follow the narrative through the exposition, rising action, climax and resolution.  However, Hemingway’s utilization of the iceberg principle, which states to leaves out seven-eighths of the narrative, skews the traditional plot structure into a subset category that emphasizes minute details.  Hemingway remarks on this principle stating, “If you leave out important things and events that you know about, the story is strengthened.  If you leave out or skip something because you do not know it, the story will be worthless.  The test of any story is how very good the stuff is that you, not your editors, omit.”

The exposition of the plot begins with the narrator’s subtle depiction of two ex-patriots waiting for a train in the remote valley of Ebro in Northern Spain.  The couple’s dialogue quickly projects the plot in motion through a brief confrontation on whether the “American” could have seen a White Elephant to which he responds, “I might have… Just because you say I wouldn’t have doesn’t prove anything.” 

The tension then builds further when the “American” becomes annoyed with the girl’s “bright” comment on how “Everything tastes of liquorice.”  This dialogue illustrates America’s scrutiny on the world’s thoughts and beliefs.  This tension provides a catalyst to direct the dialogue towards the hidden aggression which is then gradually revealed through the rising action.  The hidden aggression is slowly displayed through the “American’s” inquiry on an operation to which the girl is non-responsive.  The lack of dialogue provides a strong indication that there is a conflict in their beliefs regarding the operation.  This can be depicted as the world’s different views on various issues, and America’s pressure to follow order.  The narration then becomes a perpetual elevation of tension as the American attempts to alter the girl’s opinion through illustrating the benefits of the operation.  This confrontation provides the reader with enough insight to make the assumption that the operation, although unspoken of, is an abortion.  The child that the girl bares can thus be viewed as the world’s potential height that can reached with America’s assistance, and America’s opposition towards that achievement.      

The climax and resolution converge for a dramatic and strong finish in the last sentence of the narrative exposing the theme brilliantly as the conflict is resolved.  After the “American” returns from moving their luggage he asks, “Do you feel better,” to which she responds, “I feel Fine… There’s nothing wrong with me.  I feel fine.”  The girl’s rejection to the American’s comment was the first of the narrative emphasizing the world’s recently found independence.

Due to the plot’s political theme, the setting is an important literary element to explore.  The narrative was portrayed in Spain post World War One in the early twentieth century.  Having the narrative based in Europe allows the narrative to illustrate America’s presence in the foreign countries during the War.  Because of the sensitive subject matter of abortion, it is also imperative to note that Spain’s long abiding allegiance towards the Roman Catholic Church provided stability on the stance prohibiting abortion.  The illegalization of abortion is an important factor to consider since the operation which the couple is considering is a very dangerous procedure.  This insight provides new connotation towards the “American’s” comments on the operation being “simple” and “not really an operation at all.”  It exposes that the “American,” America, does not have the girl’s, world’s,  best interest at heart, and is solely manipulating her, the world.   

The narrative’s point-of-view, third person, is also a significant literary element that helps channel the readers intuition while revealing the theme.  The limited vantage point combined with the narrator’s seldom insight, provides the dialogue with the burden of characterization and plot development.  In fact, the only aspect of characterization which is not provided by the dialogue is that one of the characters is an American.  This combination of characterization and plot development through the characters themselves allows for them to manipulate not only each other, but also the reader.  For example, the “American’s” love for the girl is professed by him stating, “I Love you now.  You know I love you,” which provides the reader, and the girl, with the belief that he does in fact care.  The reader is only able to uncover the true feelings of the “American” by looking outside the narrative.

The title “Hills Like White Elephants” is also an important element that directs the readers attention towards symbolism.  The phrase “White Elephant” has been used in society to depict an honor which is a financial burden.  This symbol is first mentioned by the girl commenting on the hills, “They look like white elephants,” to which the American replies, “I’ve never seen one.”  The American’s comment can be paralleled with America’s stance on not helping the world due to its financial burden.

There is no clear conclusion to the narrative.  Nor has there been a clear conclusion to the ongoing narrative between America and the rest of world.  Through my detailed analysis of “Hills like White Elephants” I depicted the struggle between the vulnerable and the strong.  America still plays a dominant role in both assisting in the further development of the world while limiting its progress to benefit itself financially, even if there are adverse effects.  Perhaps this fragmented world which Hemingway depicts is the reason he left early.