Two Critical Analyses of Hemingway's "hills like White Elephants"

Two Critical Analyses of Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants"

In "Hills Like White Elephants: The Jilting Of Jig," Nilofer Hashmi explores the many different layers of symbolism, the role of the American male, and the possible outcomes of the story. The use of symbolism is great in this story; therefore Hashmi uses the words of many critics to get through the various layers that the symbolism poses. Hashmi uses Doris Lanier's argument for support in his article. Lanier states, "everything in the story contributes in some way to the meaning" (Hashmi 74). Hashmi continues to state that the symbolism in the title might shed a light on the outcome of the story. Hashmi also makes a point to highlight the powerful role that the male is given in this story. He pays special attention to the dialogue between the American and Jig and the balance of power that is exposed. Hashmi concludes that as a reader one must see every object as symbolizing the greater theme of the story.

Hashmi begins his article by trying to define the meaning behind the use of the title "Hills like white elephants." For Hashmi the hills "appear to symbolize the glimmering hope, remote yet real like the hills themselves, that her sexual relationship with the man might change the solid relationship of family and permanence" (Hashmi75). Paul Smith For the white hills represent, "the dream of a family" in the other hand they could also represent the "harsh stifling of the dream, manifested by the American's cold response" (Hashmi 75). Hashmi uses Dante's rhetorical theory on how we should read literature through the concept of layers to uncover the true meaning in the story.

Hashmi continues the article with the problem of open interpretation that arises because Hemingway gives no clear closure to the story. According to Hashmi there could only be three possible out comes in the story: 1. "Jig will have an abortion and stay with the American 2. Jig will have an abortion and leave the American 3. Jig will not have an abortion and in doing so will have won the American to her point of view" (Hashmi 72).

In the beginning, Hashmi's focus is vague and unclear. He chooses to quote and reference other critics rather than using his own words to get his point across. He does not show an original idea or interpretation to the story until the end of his article. Once he starts getting in depth with his analysis of the story, it is easier to follow his ideas and interpretations. Hashmi discusses Hemingway's use scenery and symbolism in laymen's terms making it easier for a broader audience to understand.

Alex Link's "Staking Everything On It: A Stylistic Analysis of Linguistic Patterns in "Hills Like White Elephants" is an article that shows how the story creates points of emphasis and importance through "precise patterns in its grammatical structure" (Link 66). These patterns also highlight Hemingway's balance of power in his story. Link uses M.A.K. Halliday's observations to support his claim. Halliday states that, "the story's complex stylistic pattern raises the stakes of the couple's conflict, it also tracks the subtle ruthlessness at work in the main language" (Link 67). Link points out the repetitions of certain lines and how they contribute to the theme of the story. Link looks at the different situations that the characters are in to show the shift of power between them.

In the beginning of the article Link concentrates on the phrase "I don't want you to do it if you don't really want to" (Link 68). This phrase is repeated with some variations in the story five times. According