Symbolism of Hemingway

Symbolism in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants"

The imagery in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" produces great visuals portraying details of the main characters and the current struggle that they are experiencing in their relationship. The imagery as a whole depicts a stopping place for this couple, at the train station, where they have a cross-road, a juncture in their lives that needs to be collectively decided upon, or independently decided upon, for their lives to continue along a path, whether it be the current one, or not. In the opening lines of Hemingway's story, it states: The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun." (Charters, p. 350). This opening phrase depicts a great visual for a reader of the environment that they are getting ready to experience.

The description of the station being in the center of these two opposite landscapes depicts the stopping point in the lives of our characters, Jig and the American. We can gather from their conversation that they are pondering keeping their unborn child. Do they pick the side of darkness where there is no shade and no trees, therefore terminating the birth of their baby, or that latter side, where there is sunshine?

After re-reading this story, I believe Hemingway reverts back to the railway lines as being on opposite paths because this is ultimately what the course of their relationship is to be -- a separating event in their lives that will split them forever. Rail lines generally run parallel to one another, and do not unite. We can see the differences in our characters -- the American as having a vivaciousness about him and an independent spirit, traveling throughout the country. The couple has traveled to many and places, noted in the story that they have several stickers on their luggage indicating they've traveled to many areas. Jig seems bored with this lifestyle and wants seems to want something more than just the randomness in spontaneity. She says, "That's all we do isn't it -- look at things and try new drinks?" (Charters 351). She seems to ask this with boredom of the situation, which then propels their discussion to the possible abortion proceedings.

During the course of their visit at the picnic table outside of the station, there is reference to a bamboo curtain, though neither of our characters go through the curtain, this to me symbolizes a type of boundary to this couple. They do not want to cross the boundary of the station entrance, when ordering their beverages -- yet it is there. Jig has a personal boundary where her body could potentially be exposed to a threatening procedure. The boundary to the American is the fact that he will be struck down, losing his independence. Neither of them truly want to confront this boundary, and their discussion about the possible procedure is very limited in nature. Neither of them chooses to reveal to each other their true desires for their life -- just the impending nature of the situation on their relationship, which seems to be in jeopardy already.

The story leaves us questioning which landscape this couple chooses -- the light or the dark. We also do not know if they choose to stay together, or choose to part ways, although I've already admitted my expectation of the scenario. The use of imagery is complementary to the symbolism and the theme of road-blocks in life that Hemingway has written about. All in all, the images create a visual within the reader's mind that helps them further explore the story and the controversy of the topic.

Works Cited

Charters, Ann. The Story and It's Writer. "Hills Like White Elephants" Hemingway. 2007. Bedford/St. Martin's, Massachusetts.