RR - Hills Like White Elephants

Aneesa Baptiste

Professor Raquel Corona

English 102

RR - Hills Like White Elephants

Q 1. Find the first indication in “Hills Like White Elephants” that the two main characters are not getting along. What is the first clue about the exact nature of their conflict? Why are they going to Madrid? Why do the characters (and the author) refrain from speaking about it explicitly?

In “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, the first indication that hints to me that the two main characters are not getting along was when the girl made a comment about what the line of the hills looked like to her. “They look like white elephants,” she said. “I've never seen one,” the man drank his beer. “No, you wouldn't have.” This is where you can immediately tell that there is tension between the two characters.

As I continue to read along, the first clue I gather about the exact nature of the conflict was when the American stated to girl, Jig, whom he calls, that it was just “an awfully simple operation, Jig.” The reason why they were going to Madrid as to get an abortion.

Even though both the characters and the author did not explicitly use the term 'abortion', there were enough clues in the story that suggested it, such as “perfectly natural”, “I'll go with you and I'll stay with you all the time.” I believe that the characters refrains themselves from using the word 'abortion' simply because they are about to do something that will change them both. Clearly Jig, is not happy about this decision but the fact that she loves this man, she will do this for him hoping that he continues to love her and be with her.