JESSA MAE A.

ALBARACIN
MAED-ENGLISH
ENG 505-LITERARY CRITICISM

The first time I read the story, I was a little bit confuse of what is going on within the story. And so, I
read it all over again to get the point. What I understood in the story is that maybe at some point, the couple
wanted to have an abortion because of some lines such as:
1 "It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig," the man said. "It's not really an operation at all."
2 "Then what will we do afterward?"
"We'll be fine afterward. Just like we were before."
"What makes you think so?"
"That's the only thing that bothers us. It's the only thing that's made us
unhappy."
3 "And you think then we'll be all right and be happy."
" I know we will. You don't have to be afraid. I've known lots of people
that have done it."
"So have I, " said the girl. "And afterward they were all so happy."
4 "Then I'll do it. Because I don't care about me."
"What do you mean?"
" I don't care about me."
"Well, I care about you."
"Oh, yes. But I don't care about me. And I'll do it and then everything
will be fine."
5 No, it isn't. And once they take it away, you never get it back."
"But they haven't taken it away."
"We'll wait and see."

As I read and analyzed these lines, it seems to me that yes, at some point it talks about abortion and
how two couples planned to have one.

If I were to critique this story, the approaches that I will use are Symbolic, Feminist, and
Psychological approaches. These approaches provide different lenses through which readers and critics can
analyze and interpret literary works. These allow for a deeper understanding of a text's themes, characters,
symbols, and narrative techniques. They help uncover layers of meaning, shed light on social and cultural
contexts, and explore the implications and significance of a literary work.

"Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway offers a feminist approach through its
exploration of gender roles, power dynamics, and the theme of agency within a relationship. This specific
story offers a thoughtful analysis of the difficulties that women in the early 20th century faced. One of the
primary feminist elements in the story is the depiction of the female character, referred to as "the girl" or Jig.
Jig is portrayed by Hemingway as a woman who struggles with society norms and the impact of the
American man, the male character. The American guy tries to convince Jig to get an abortion throughout the
entire tale by portraying it as an easy and sensible alternative. The historical background of the early 20th
century, in which women's autonomy and control over their bodies were frequently limited, is reflected in
this power dynamic. Jig does, however, occasionally exercise autonomy and show resistance in the plot
despite the external forces. She conveys her confusion and worries and challenges the American man's
presumptions. Jig's unstable feelings and internal conflict show her unique preferences and her requirement
to make herself heard in the relationship. As she struggles with the important decision in front of her, her
negotiation of personal desires versus cultural norms highlights her freedom. The story also touches on
reproductive rights, a crucial aspect of feminist discourse. The discussion of the potential abortion reveals
the societal control over women's bodies and the limited choices they faced during that time period.
Hemingway presents the characters' conversation without judgment, allowing readers to critically examine
the dynamics of power and the implications for women's autonomy.

The story additionally prompts readers to think on the demands that are placed on women to fit in
with the standards of society. The matter of communication—or the lack thereof—highlights the difficulties
women face when wanting to establish themselves and be heard. Hemingway's work has come under
critique for how it portrays women, and it's essential to note this, but "Hills Like White Elephants" offers a
more nuanced examination of female agency and the complexity of gender interactions. Readers may
discuss the power relationships, cultural norms, and reproductive rights that influence women's
experiences by reading the narrative from a feminist viewpoint.

This short story also invites a psychological approach to understanding the story's characters and
their internal struggles. Through the characters' emotions, motivations, and decision-making processes,
Hemingway delves into the complexities of the human psyche. The representation of the characters' internal
problems is one element of the narrative that lends validity to a psychological interpretation. Jig, the female
main character, struggles with the important choice of getting an abortion or not. The internal conflict she
experiences is reflected in her erratic emotions and doubts. Jig's hesitancy and uncertainty reveal the
confusion in her mind as she balances social norms, personal aspirations, and the possible outcomes of her
decision. The American man, on the other hand, exhibits a level of manipulation and attempts to downplay
the significance of the decision. His motivations and actions reveal underlying psychological dynamics. His
desire for control, influence, and self-preservation become evident as he tries to persuade Jig to align with
his desires. The psychological power play between the characters adds layers of complexity to their
relationship and sheds light on the dynamics of their decision-making process.

Moreover, the story emphasizes the emotional fallout from abruptly chosen actions. Concerns and
worries about the possible results of their decision are expressed by both characters. Hemingway depicts
the psychological impact these choices have on the characters, highlighting the worries, fears, and questions
they go through. The character's internal struggles and distress provide insight into their psychological
states and the psychological effects of their decisions. Additionally, the story invites an examination of the
characters' motivations and desires. Hemingway presents the characters' needs, fears, and wants through
their dialogue and actions. Jig's expressions of wanting things to be like they were before, and the American
man's insistence that their relationship will be fine afterward, reveal their underlying psychological
motivations for their choices. These psychological motives and desires drive the characters' decision-making
processes, adding to the story's psychological complexity.

The symbolic approach is integral to understanding the depth and layers of meaning in literary
works, and "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway is no exception. Symbolism plays a crucial
role in the story, adding depth to its themes and characters, and enriching the reader's interpretation. The
story's use of many symbols to give the narrative additional meaning is one of the reasons it might be
interpreted symbolically. Through the use of symbols, it is possible to explore concepts and feelings that are
not directly expressed in the language.

The hills across the valley serve as a potent symbol in the story, representing the central issue that
the characters, Jig and the American man, grapple with—the decision regarding the potential abortion. The
hills which separate the valley are one of the story's key symbols. The hills are described as "long and
white," looking like white elephants. There are several ways to interpret the hills' meaning. First of all, they
serve to symbolize the story's main problem—the forthcoming abortion. Abortion is a striking and heavy
subject that hangs over the couple's talk like a white elephant. The weight of the choice and the difficulties it
presents for the main characters are reflected in the hills' pronounced whiteness and magnificent but
unsettling presence. As a symbol of fertility and the possibility for new life, the hills may also be interpreted
as such. The hills stand for the promise of development and transformation when contrasted with the
desolate landscape and dry ground. This symbolism highlights the importance of the choice the
main characters must make and the possible effects it may have on their lives.
 The bead curtain that hangs over the bar's open door serves as another symbol in the story. The
curtain serves as a metaphor for a wall, keeping the outside world away from the characters. The emotional
divide and lack of open contact between Jig and the American man are symbolized by it. The bead curtain
takes on the physical form of the conflict and unsaid feelings that underlie their relationship. It represents
the difficulties they have in having an honest and open discussion as well as the difficulties they have in
truly understanding one another. Additionally, the curtain serves as a symbolic barrier, shielding the pair
from undesirable visitors like flies. Their desire to protect their privacy while maintaining control over their
personal life is reflected in this function. It emphasizes their efforts to convey an image of normality and
keep a safe distance from outside influences, which intensifies their sense of emotional isolation.

Hemingway also used the luggage to symbolize the hard decision that the American ang Jig face in
regards to having the abortion. The couple faces a very difficult decision about the child because it seems
like they are not willing to give up their lifestyle, especially the man. The luggage symbolizes that Jig and
the American are still very ambitious to travel around the world and if they were to keep the child, their
ambition would come to an end because the child will come in the way. However, there are still lines that
gave us a hint of how Jig wanted to keep the baby, but still confused how to tell it properly to the American.
The labels on the characters' luggage serve as a metaphor for their prior interactions and the temporary
nature of their connection. The bags include labels from several hotels, showing their history of meetings
with people and brief stays. These labels also serve as a physical and figurative representation of the
characters' luggage, indicating that their decisions are impacted by previous experiences and the burden
they bear.

With these being said, it is important to say that in order to conduct a thorough analysis, acquire a
variety of viewpoints, comprehend the context, unearth subtext and symbolism, foster critical engagement,
make interdisciplinary connections, and enhance the reader's appreciation of the work, it is essential to use
approaches when critiquing a story. The frameworks, methods, and views provided by approaches enable a
deeper investigation of the text's layers of meaning, topics, and stylistic decisions. Readers and critics can
interact with literature in a deeper and meaningful way thanks to their contribution to a deeper knowledge
and assessment of the story itself.