I am soo confused with this short story by hemingway.
What is the point of view of the story and how does hemingway use the geography of the area in the setting?
basically i know it is about abortion but that's about it.
if anyone has read it and could help me out i would really apprieciate it! i have tried to find any info but i have had little luck.
thanks
2007-08-25 15:10:25 · 3 answers · asked by edtkkfif 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I love this story. The setting is a railroad setting. The tracks go in two directions only ... black and white ... yes and no ... does she do it or does she not do it? There is no third option for her. She is in a linear situation ... To go in the other two directions is to wander out into the hills like white elephants ... no man's land so to speak. If she does that, she knows she will be alone. As far as the American is concerned, there is only one direction to go and that is towards the abortion. Hope that helps. Pax - C
2007-08-25 17:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's been a while since I read the story, but... A "white elephant" is something you have but don't want. People used to have white elephant sales to get rid of stuff, kind of like a yard sale. If I remember correctly, the woman who had the abortion is very sad, but the man is nonchalant. The idea of the story seems to be that she's hurt and upset and wants to talk about what she's lost, but the guy just wants to pretend like nothing ever happened. Remember that when this story was written abortion was illegal and people didn't talk about things the way we do now.
2007-08-25 16:14:10 · answer #2 · answered by mrkevin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe this link to New Critical Approaches to the Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway by Jackson J. Benson will help you.
http://books.google.com/books?id=9ps69UBMNqcC&pg=PA288&dq=Hills+like+white+elephants&as_brr=3&ei=OO7QRryqJZXC7AKn2smYCg&sig=QYlbLsbpxl29xiSQB4qXTxtQMFQ
2007-08-25 16:08:26 · answer #3 · answered by Beach Saint 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋