The Hills like White Elephants

Many writing critics, both amateur and professional express their admiration for authors who use various layers of symbolism in order to communicate their ideas. For some it is the manipulation of language that impresses them while for others it is the writer?s ability to allow the intended reader to take an active role. But no matter the reasoning or logic behind the appreciation of symbolic fiction one thing can be agreed upon it takes a talented artist to write a piece of literature without making it blatantly obvious that symbolism is being used. Author Earnest Hemingway is known for his use of symbolic representations in both his novels and short stories. In ?Hills like White Elephants?, Hemingway joins symbolism and indirect references in order to guide the reader into discovering that what at first appears to be a conversation between two lovers is in fact a glimpse into the complex emotions associated with the topic of abortion. Throughout the story, Hemingway gradually leads the reader into making the connection between his symbols and the underlying social issue clear.
The first time it becomes evident that an abortion is being discussed is halfway into the conversation being held between ?the American? male and his female friend, Jig. ?The American? divulges to Jig that she should have an operation because ?It?s not really an operation at all?It?s just to let the air in. (351)?. To let the air in refers to an abortion procedure often referred to as, vacuum aspiration. During the process air is blown into the uterus causing an air embolism to occur. Once the pocket of air caused by the embolism restricts and kills the contents of the uterus, it is cleaned with a vacuum like device. ?The American?s? statement makes it almost indisputable that Hemingway is referring to an abortion.
Another example that makes the reader associate the story with an abortion is that ?the American? is continuously trying to persuade Jig into having the operation. This suggests he has a vested interest in whether or not she has the procedure. In attempting to talk her into the procedure he makes reference to an ?it? that he will love. Logically, this statement was not a profession of love for Jig because he would have used the second person pronoun you instead of the third person pronoun it. Therefore, there is another object of ?the American?s? love besides Jig. The persuasion and illusion to a third party makes the case that Hemingway is referring to an abortion through the story even more visible.
Lastly, near the end of the ongoing discussion Jig makes a proclamation about her operation to ?the American?. She informs him that, ?once they take it away, you never get it back. (352)?. This is Hemingway?s last direct attempt at suggesting to the reader that Jig and ?the American? were facing the permanent and irreversible choice of abortion. Jig?s language use was almost identical to ?the Americans? a few lines earlier. She refers to the operation as the removal of an ?it? making sure never to make known exactly what the ?it? she spoke of was. In doing so she proves that she is emotionally conflicted with the notion of aborting the ?it? living in her body.
Ernest Hemingway once said, ?I never had to choose a subject - my subject rather chose me.? Though quite difficult to believe when presented with the numerous layers that exist in Hemingway?s work it proves that not only was the use of symbols and coated conversation pleasant to read but also a sign of an uncommon ability in the literary world