Reaction Paper 2

Hills Like White Elephants, by renown author Earnest Hemmingway, is a remarkable short story that actively engages the reader with an outburst of images, symbols, and themes. Though so many themes could be applied to this story, one theme appears through out most blatently and that is the drastic change one decision could have on a persons life and happiness. While on a vacation to Spain, an American couple, who aren't given names, spend their last moments of their venture sitting in a bar, discussing whether or not for the girl to have an operation, which also isn't specified. Though this may seem simple enough to the naked eye, there is a rather large conflict between the two about the operation, a conflict which their entire future relies on.

As stated before, there could be many themes which pertain to the story, but Hemmingway best demonstrates the the overbaring effect one single event could have in determining the outcome of one more persons lives as shown through both direct, indirect, and subtext dialogue between the two characters. Though initial tension is present between the two characters stemming from the beginning of the story, the main discussion heats up when the operation situation is brought up by the man. " 'I think it's the best thing to do. But I don't want you to do it if you don't really want to.' 'And if I do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?' " (Hemmingway, page 2) This dialogue demonstrates the conflict both have with the operation and whether to get it or not and how their future relies on it; the girl even goes as far to ask if their love depends on it. The theme adds to the story because it gives the story a dramatic twist and uses imagery and character emotions to spice up the conversation between the two.

Hemmingway was very effective with the messages in this story because of his vivid use of imagery, setting, and characterization, which all add to the themes portrayed within the piece. All of the afore mentioned methods used in order to bring out the theme also help bring the whole entire story alive by bringing the reader into the story. With outstanding sensory details and a very discriptive use of appearence, the reader is able to clearly see exactly what's going on, both outside and inside of the characters heads. Though Hemmingway's techinques bring the story to life, the main factor that changes this story from a good to great story is believeable the characters are and how one could relate to them. " 'It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig,' the man said. 'It's not really an operation at all.' The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on. 'I know you wouldn't mind it, Jig. It's really not anything. It's just to let the air in.' The girl did not say anything. " (Hemmingway, page 3) Even though the girl does not say anything at first, by her actions and her silence, it is clear that she's worried about the operation and how it would change their lives.

While reading, someone is compelled to think about many different things, to say the least. This story, first and foremost, makes a reader wonder exactly what is this operation and why would it have such a large outcome in the happiness of their relationship. Another may wonder what exactly does the girl mean while comparing one part of the setting to another, these types of questions brought upon by the characters and by the setting make the readers active participants within the story. An example of why this story would make the reader think of such questions could be identified within specific parts of the conversation between the two, " 'I know. But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and you'll like it?' 'I'll love it. I love it now but I just can't think about it. You know how I get when I worry.' 'If I do it you won't ever worry?' 'I won't worry about that because it's perfectly simple.' 'Then I'll do it. Because I don't care about me.' " ( Hemmingway, page 5) First off, the introduction of the white elephants poses questions in the minds of the reader because it has nothing to do with the operation or anything that they have already discussed. Second, there seems to be a change in both the desires of the man and girl, which throws off the argument between the two and causes them to shift sides.

This is a piece of literature to be remembered, both because of the way it ties the reader into the affairs of the characters, and how it has clear depicitions of many different literary elements to make the story clear and easy to get in to. This story should be read for generations to give them ideas how one change in lifestyle could change you into a completely different person, not mentioning that this story is extremely interesting to decipher as well.