Isabella Fernandez

Storer

English III H, Block 4

24 November 2019

Socratic Circle Reflection

In the Socratic Circle on Friday November 22, 2019, we discussed Hills like White
Elephants by Hemingway and Winter Dreams by Fitzgerald. My group consisted of Sara, Laura,
and me, which led to us only being able to speak once. Even though each of us only spoke once, I
believe we all covered valid points. My performance however, was average. I covered and got to
the point that I wanted to get to, yet the Socratic Circle ended and I felt myself longing to have
spoken more. I was also looking forward to discuss the story, Hills like White Elephants, and I had
to discuss the story Winter Dreams. Both stories are very interesting but I felt I had more arguments
and more analysis for Hills like White Elephants. I spoke about the question regarding, “Is Dexter
Green’s love for Judy Jones more true/real than Judy’s love for Dexter?”. Which I answered as
yes, since I felt that Judy Jones was looking for someone to fill her desire for greater things, and
higher status in society. All of the men that Judy Jones associated with, were from the same social
class, and wealthy. Yet, even though Judy Jones wasn’t looking to settle for anyone or Dexter, he
always welcomed her back, always thought of her, and would never deny his presence for her.
Judy Jones does indeed sometimes have some evidence where, it could look like she loved Dexter,
in instances like her telling Dexter to “marry” her. Yet all in all, I believe Judy Jones’ idea of love
was blinded by her idea of a an ideal wealthy status in society. She was looking for wealth more
than a companion. I expressed all of this when I talked in my Socratic, and I believe it was agreed
upon my members of the circle, since some of them referred to my point as “a very good valid
point.”

My group, in my opinion spoke clearly, confidently, got to the point, didn’t hog the conversation,
and even led to our opinions been added to by other members of the circle and some contradicting
our opinions. This made some of the discussions take a turn from the conversation and analyze
some of the points better. Laura had some great ideas and she expressed them, while getting to the
point quickly and using analogies and comparisons to try to make her point be easier to understand.
Sara spoke twice or three times during her Socratic, she also did a good job of explaining what she
was trying to get across while, not having the fear or obstacle stand in her way of expressing her
ideas. When we took breaks and got feedback, I believed we all encouraged ourselves and gave us
more confidence to get in there and speak our minds. Or by saying things like “You should cover
this point, or this…” helped me a lot when showing factual evidence when I spoke. All in all, I
believe our group did a superb job in the Socratic Circle. For next time, however, I would like for
myself to speak more and cover more points, as well as future members of my group.

My thesis statement for an imaginary essay that I would create, for Hills like White Elephants:
The man who attempted to convince the woman to get an abortion, is ultimately a life lived purely
for selfish pleasure, is hollow and boring, deracinating the one who lives it and cutting her off from
anything that might give her life meaning.

The main points that I would take throughout this essay is the points that symbolize the man and
the woman. Also that the waiter, train, bags, and even drink they order symbolize something that
is hidden to make the story harder to decrypt. I would talk about the reasons as to why the man
might want her to get an abortion, analyze his choice of words deeper, as well as the woman’s
reasons to listen to him and/or also want to get rid of the baby. I would analyze the story better and
revert back to the title, “Hills like White Elephants.”

One connection that I made with this story and my life is the fact that sometimes I might be
influenced by people who don’t want me to make the best choices for myself, but for them.
Sometimes life expects you to be selfless for what you think is real happiness, but turns out to be
fake happiness that was planted on you as an idea for a fake and toxic relationship/life.