Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants"

Today in Comp two we analysed Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants".  This is a short story that Hemingway wrote in the 20's.  It is a very short story about one page total and although it is quite short, it packs  a whollop!  I think that Hemingway may become one of my favorite authors.

 

The story is set in Spain at a train station bar and has three characters total.  A man simply referred to as "man" in the story, Jig his female companion, and the waitress that brings them their drinks.  The story is basically an exchange of dialog between Jig and the man.  The conversation they engage in is very tense and argumentative.  Jig is sarcastic and antagonistic from the start in that sweet way only  women have mastered. We, the audience are just bystanders watching this exchange and are not given access to what each is thinking in keeping with Hemingway's existential style..  This story has been analysed relentlessly since it was written and many people have many ideas as to what the meaning is.  Only Hemingway can tell us and since he is 1) dead and 2) was quite insane, it is difficult to know with one hundred percent certainly what he really meant by the story.  It is clear in the story that the couple is unmarried, and most would agree that the couple is talking about Jig having an abortion.  She is unsure and he, being a typical unmarried man, does not want the responsibility of a wife and child.  They have been traveling the country as is evidenced by the luggage they have with them.  Many have discussed what they think the refrence to the white elephant is and there are several ideas, I maintain that Hemingway meant for it to be the "Elephant in the living room"  It is there and it is big but everyone is talking around it.  You read the short by yourself and leave me a comment on what you think about it.  

"Hills Like White Elephants" By Ernest Hemingway
I promise it is short, and you will enjoy it.  I have read it several times!