Symbolism and imagery are two effective tools used to reveal conflicts in literary works. Symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships. Imagery is the use of figures of speech or vivid descriptions in writing or speaking to produce mental images. Ernest Hemingway uses symbolism and imagery eloquently in his short story "Hills Like White Elephants."
             In "Hills Like White Elephants," the setting of the story is symbolic to the character's dilemma. The dilemma that Jig faces is whether she should do as she would like to do by keeping the baby that she is pregnant with or aborting the pregnancy in order to keep her boyfriend. The story takes place in a train station. The train station is symbolic in that it represents a crossroads in Jig's life and relationship with her boyfriend. One track represents the continued relationship with her boyfriend and the carefree lifestyle that seems to have staled and become empty. This is evident in one of the comments that Jig makes. She proclaims, "Everything tastes of licorice, especially all the things you've waited so long for...," suggesting that everything in their lives is always the same. Meanwhile, the other track represents her life as a mother and the responsibilities of raising a child without her boyfriend in her life. The fact that the train arrives in forty minutes adds pressure to an already trying decision. Her boyfriend pressures her to make such an important decision in a matter of minutes which indicates his insensitivity to the situation. All of these elements of the train station lend to the symbolism of the setting.
             The Ebro River is an element of imagery that Hemingway uses to show Jig's present life and the alternative. Hemingway uses statements like, "The hills across the valley were long and white," to describe the life that awaited Ji...