Battle of the Sexes in Hills Like White Elephants

According to Deborah Tannen, author of "Sex, Lies, and Conversation," "it's our tendency to approach every problem as if it were a fight between two sides." Like Tannen, many argue that there are great differences between men and women. One example of this can be found in the works of one of the most widely read American authors. In his short story, "Hills like White Elephants," Ernest Hemingway uses the characters and setting to contrast the man's point of view versus the woman's point of view when confronted with a crisis-Jig's pregnancy and whether or not to go through with an abortion. This is obvious when considering the hidden agenda of the American, Jig's own desires, and the hidden messages presented through the landscapes on each side of the railroad tracks.

To start, the American seems to have a hidden agenda when discussing the abortion with Jig. For example, throughout the story, the American repeatedly iterates the simplicity of the operation, even though, at the time, the operation was no simple task. In fact, abortions were illegal and often fatal. Both the American and Jig were aware of this fact. Even so, the American pressured Jig to go forward with the abortion, showing his selfishness in his intentions. Not only does this event highlight such selfishness of the American, but it shows his cowardice in accepting responsibility for his actions. Because the abortion could be fatal, he does not want to assume responsibility for it knowing that Jig could die: "...if you don't want to you don't have to. I wouldn't have you do it if you don't want to" (Hemingway 354). He wants Jig to make his decision, but he does not want to bear the guilt if the operation has negative consequences. Similarly, he is pressing for the abortion itself because he does not want to assume responsibility for the baby. When the American says to Jig, "but I don't want anybody but you," it is obvious that he is implying that he does not want the baby (Hemingway 354). In saying "We'll be fine afterward. Just like before," he shows that he wants to return to their previous lifestyle of travelling and partying and, also, that he believes the abortion will save their relationship, even though nothing will be the same regardless (Hemingway 354). Throughout the story, the American exerts authority over Jig. He pressures Jig to comply with his desires by convincing her to have the abortion. This is most obvious at the end of the story when the American moves "the bags to the other side of the station" (Hemingway 356). By doing so, he has made the decision for her. This instance implies that men want control over the events in their lives and the outcomes. The American shows nothing but utmost selfishness, lack of personal responsibility, and manipulation in his views of Jig's pregnancy and the abortion.

In contrast, Jig's own desires are completely opposite of the American's desires. Throughout the story, Jig seems doubtful and uncertain about the abortion. She looks to the American for reassurance that the abortion is the best solution. Question after question she probes him but remains doubtful that the abortion is the best solution. When Jig says "And once they take it away, you never get it back" she is referring to the baby and her potential unhappiness with the loss. Even though Jig wants the baby, she feels pressured to submit to the man's wishes. After all, it was unheard of, at the time, for a woman to be disobedient to her man. In the beginning, this submissive quality is demonstrated by Jig in allowing the American to make the decisions for her. She asks him what they should drink, whether or not to drink it with water, what he thinks, etc. Also, throughout the story, Jig seems depressed and annoyed. It is obvious that she is unhappy with the man's decision otherwise there would be no need to question it. And when he repeatedly says "it's perfectly simple" Jig gets aggravated: "Would you please please please please please please please please stop talking?" (Hemingway 355). Her annoyance further shows her unhappiness with the decision to have the abortion. In another instance, she sarcastically refutes the man in saying "we could have everything" and "we can have the whole world" showing that she does not believe they could return to their previous lifestyle (Hemingway 355). And when she says "that's all we do isn't it-look at things and try new drinks?" she shows dislike for their current lifestyle (Hemingway 353). These instances show Jig's changed attitude. Jig, who is often referred to as girl within the story, is seeking to become a woman. Jig's desire to have the baby is shown by her uncertainty, aggravated mood, and her metamorphosis from girl to woman.

Finally, the hidden messages presented through the landscapes on each side of the railroad tracks shows the opposition of the American's point of view and Jig's point of view. The opening description details the landscape on one side of the tracks: "the hills across the valley of Ebro were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees..." (Hemingway 352). This desolate side is lonely and lifeless, representing the American and his desires. On the other side of the tracks, there "were fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro. Far away, beyond the river, were mountains. The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees" (Hemingway 355). This side of the tracks is teeming with life, symbolic of fertility and a new beginning, representing Jig and her desires. The train tracks, on the other hand, separate the two landscapes signifying the opposition of the American's point of view and Jig's point of view. The two sets of train tracks show that there are two choices that can be made and since these tracks never cross only one track can be chosen.

After considering the hidden agenda of the American, Jig's own desires, and the hidden messages presented through the landscapes on each side of the railroad tracks, it is obvious Hemingway uses the characters and setting to contrast the views of men and women. He uses the American to show the selfishness, lack of responsibility, and manipulative aspect of the man in his views about the abortion. He uses Jig to show the uncertain, submissive, and nurturing aspects of the woman in her views about the abortion. And finally, he uses the landscapes on both sides of the tracks to show that although men and women may clash in their views, they must meet on one track. Although men and women may differ greatly in their views, they must choose between "the two sides."

Sources:
Ernest Hemingway "Hills Like White Elephants" American Voices: Culture and Community
Deborah Tannen "Sex, Lies, and Conversation" Patterns for College Writing