Hills Like Elephants

In the short story Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway there is a young girl named Jigs and an American Man. Among a few drinks they are having a discussion. A discussion I felt that didn't reveal to much. Jig is portrayed as a young girl in the story however, the American "Man" is not therefore signaling to the reader he may be much older than Jig. After discussing this short story in class it was later revealed that the Jig was to have an abortion.The story doesn't say weather the actually procedure took place or not. While they are sitting waiting for the train Jig looks into the sky and notices clouds that look like white elephants.I think the white elephants are a significant for a child to be born.The American man tries to persuades Jig that life can still be happy after an abortion which basically states that he does want the child however, he tries to have some compassion reassuring Jig if she doesn't want to then she doesn't have to.

I think Hemmingway captured the essense of the dilema in making a hard decision that would effect the remainder of your life. Although I did not appreciate this mans selfish attempt to explain a horrendus procedure as they "letting a little air in" the story was compelling lest the open end.