Hills Like White Elephants is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927 It is a conversation between a man and a woman in a train station in Spain. The story is famous for its use of dialogue to convey a relationship between two people in a difficult situation. The couple is debating whether or not the woman should have an abortion.
The story is ambiguous and its true meaning is left open to interpretation. Some scholars interpret it as a metaphor for the difficulties of interpersonal relationships, while others use it to explore themes of freedom and choice. Whatever one’s interpretation is, Hills Like White Elephants is an iconic work of literature that captures a difficult conversation between a man and a woman.
Here are five examples of Hills like white elephants:
1. “The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger: J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel is a classic coming of age story that follows Holden Caulfield’s journey through adolescence. The central theme of choice is evident in the character of Holden’s struggle to maintain innocence and protect children from the perils of life. Through its exploration of the complexities of choice, The Catcher in the Rye reflects the same themes of freedom and choice found in Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants.
2. “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway: Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel is a classic exploration of the Lost Generation in Europe after World War I. It follows the characters Jake Barnes, Lady Brett Ashley, and Robert Cohn as they navigate their various relationships and struggles during their time in Paris. The central theme of freedom and choice is found in the characters’ choices to make or break their relationships with each other. These choices are reflective of the same themes in Hills Like White Elephants.
3. “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams: Tennessee Williams’ 1947 play is a classic tragedy that follows the story of Blanche DuBois, a faded Southern belle, and her struggles in a new city. The central theme of freedom and choice is explored through Blanche’s struggle to find a way to survive in the ever-changing world around her. The themes in this classic play are reflective of the same themes found in Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants.
4. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel is a classic story of the American Dream. The story follows Jay Gatsby on his journey to achieve the American Dream and his struggles to overcome the consequences of his choices. The central theme of choice is explored through Gatsby’s struggle to make the right decisions in order to achieve his dream. These themes are reflective of the same themes found in Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants.
5. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: Harper Lee’s 1960 novel is a classic coming of age story that follows Scout Finch in her journey to understand the racial injustice and hatred in her hometown of Maycomb, Alabama. The central theme of freedom and choice is explored through Scout’s struggle to make the right decisions in order to stand up against the injustice she witnesses. Scout’s struggles are reflective of the same themes explored in Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants.