During the 1920's, women were not regarded as being equal their male counterparts. Their duty was mainly to manage the home, and they did not typically have a big voice in society, compared to the influence of the predominate male sex. Ernest Hemingway, a well-known author of the time, wrote stories that reflect this societal view of women. His short story "Hills Like White Elephants" applies the concept of males being the superior gender to a couple's relationship by depicting an account of a man who dominates his female lover.
             Hemingway's careful selection of the titles of the characters connotes an unbalanced relationship. The American male is called a "man" for the power and influence he has over his lover. Though she is actually an adult, Jig is described as a "girl," while the only other female character in the story, the bartender, is referred to as a "woman." The manner in which these three characters' names are used is exemplified by, "The woman brought two glasses of beer and two felt pads. She put the felt pads and the beer glasses on the table and looked at the man and the girl" (615). The use of the terms "man" and "girl" indicates that the two characters do not interact on the same level, but not due to a difference in age.
             The man's psychological approach to the topic of the abortion reflects his position of control within the relationship. The conversation is, in a sense, a mind game that he plays with the girl. At first, he tries to pressure her into thinking how perfectly natural and harmless the operation is and how they will " 'be fine afterward'" (616). He realizes, however, when she stands up and walks to the end of the station that he is not getting through to her. His approach then turns to a sort of reverse psychology, " 'You've got to realize,' he said, &...