Short Story Plot and Setting Critique of "hills like White Elephants"

Shereeta H. Rose

Leslie K. Watley

English/265

13 May 2016

Short Story Plot and Setting Critique: “Hills like White Elephants”

In “Hills Like White Elephants” Jig and The American are sitting outside of a train station waiting to board a train to Madrid. While waiting the two argue and dance around the problem at hand which is the fact that the American wants jig to have an abortion. The American seems to be trying to force his girlfriend to make this harsh decision. She is torn because obviously she thought he loved her enough to want the baby and make the relationship work but he feels differently. The two hash out there whole problem while waiting on the train. While they wait both of them drink alcohol which tells me Jig isn’t too concerned about the baby but more with not losing her boyfriend. Because a pregnant woman would never put her unborn child in danger by drinking. This also shows her mind isn’t completely made up about keeping the baby also. I guess she feels drinking early in the pregnancy will not do any harm.

There are several traditional conflicts used in the story. One is the male dominant in the relationship wants to remain free and wants the female to sacrifice her body and feelings by ending the pregnancy. Since the beginning of time men have done this to women without a second thought. Another one is this man who is from America and Jig is more than likely not from America really does not want to settle down and up root his life. A baby would complicate his life and that’s why he wants Jig to get the abortion. The two are in a long distance relationship and that is conflict within itself. This couple has a strained relationship before this pregnancy and now things are getting worse.

The story’s conflict which is the unexpected pregnancy fits the traditional conflict because The American in this story does not want to be tied down by a child. He likes to travel and see the world. A baby would interrupt his lifestyle. The male here puts Jig’s feelings on the back burner and puts his wants first. The setting of the story is at a train station in the middle of nowhere and the couple’s relationship seems to be heading nowhere fast. They are at a standstill in their relationship so by waiting on the train represents them waiting in life to make a decision about their current situation. Jig looks at the hills as a symbol of her life and what lies ahead for her and the American. She sees the beauty in her surroundings and the loneliness the view represents. Jig feels all hope is lost and just decides to give in and says she will go through with the abortion. It’s obvious she felt that she had no other choice in the matter. By this point the American gives in and says he will marry her in a subtle way and that he really does not want the abortion. I was confused at this point in the story.