In any story involving human interaction there is usually dialouge.In a short story
however , dialogue can take on even more significance- it can reveal the story's main
In Ernest Hemingway's " Hills Like white Elephants" dialogue makes up ninety percent
of the story.The conversation between two characters- the man and the girl- contains
not only their feelings or attitudes, it introduces the subject, the source of the conflict.
" It's really a simple operation, Jig"the man said. " Its not really an operation at all"
It is these two lines that reveal what is at the heart of the story: abortion. Through the
dialogue both party's feelings towards this issue are portrayed ; and through their
attitudes Hemingway explores the wider implications of abortion.
" And we could have all this " she said " And we could have everything and everyday
Through the woman's words we sense that having a child, rejecting abortion, is to be
fulfilled, connected to nature and what is natural.
The power play between this couple over the issue of abortion can be found within
Well" the man said "if you don't want to you don't have to. I wouldn't have you do it if
you didn't want to. But i know its perfectly simple'
The mans insincerity comes across here, by saying it's ( abortion) perfectly simple he is
trying to take away her decision. her protectiveness comes across in her sarcastic tone.
" And if i do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?"
Symbolism also play an important role in the story. Hemingway describes a lanscape;
one one side is barren, dry land and on the other is trees and fields of grain. The station
where the man and girl are sitting is in between these two banks. This symbolizes there
situation.They are in the middle of choosing vital, fertility or morbid infertility. The
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