Hemmingway uses symbols in "Hills Like White Elephants" to show the characters emotions. This is Hemmingway's style of writing, instead of using plain words to describe emotions he paints a vivid picture in our minds of how the characters feel. For example, "On this side there was no shade and no trees" presents the problem between the couple that will have to be resolved before they move on, it also begins to represent the bleakness of their relationship and what it will turn out to be. Furthermore, the hill itself represents sterility, while the hill with "grain and trees" is the representation of fertility and life the woman desires. "A railway junction sat between the two hills" represents a point in a persons life where the must make a decision between to undesirable courses of action. More so, when "Everything tastes like licorice" to the girl she is implying on how she feels about her life and the need of a change in her lifestyle. Yet, the girl seems to enjoy the taste of licorice to some degree still. This entails that she wishes for her baby to be born, but she wants to continue on with here "free" lifestyle. In summary, this story is a representation of a couple's life where they must make the choice to settle down or continue on with their lives. The catch of this is Hemmingway does this entirely without stating what the couple are talking about, by using symbolism to a great degree.
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