Hills Like White Elephants

This story was about a conversation between an American man and a “girl” who is spouse. I assumed that the woman was younger than the man and not from America. The first time that white elephants is mentioned is by the lady when she is looking at the mountain. The term “white elephant” can mean something that is rare and costly or something that is unwanted by one person and maybe usable by another.

The man and woman continue to have a normal conversation until out of no where the man starts to talk about a some kind of operation. He says, “It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig.” This is the first time that he refers to the woman by this name. The name is very awkward, but may be a nickname. He keeps talking about the operation and how simple it is. It becomes obvious that he is trying to persuade her to get the operation. They never actually reveal what type of operation it is, but the only operation I can think of that would make a man beg a woman to get is an abortion.

The man tells the woman that after the operation they will be happy because “It’s the only thing that’s made us unhappy.” I’m guessing that “it” refers to the baby or the fact that she was pregnant. I believe that they were acting very selfishly. The woman said that they couldn’t have everything because “once they take it away, you never get it back.” I think that “they” referred to children and “everything” referred to their own freedom.

The woman seemed to get more frustrated as he kept talking about what they were going to do. Its like deep down she didn’t want to do it, but she knew she had to because of him. Since they are at the train station, this story probably took place in the early 1900’s and they were probably on their way to have the operation. At the end of the story when the man comes back to the table, I could picture the woman putting on a fake smile to make him happy and then lying about being fine.