Symbolism in Hills Like White Elephants

Upon reading Ernest Hemingway’s short story, one of the first things that can be noticed is the amount of information expressed which is not an explicit saying. It is at that point that the power of symbolism in “Hills Like White Elephants” comes in. Rather than the explanation of every detail of the action through the characters’ dialogue, Hemingway employs the setting and the quiet images to reflect the deeper feelings and the tension existing between the American man and the girl.

The very same hills, for instance, may be regarded as a symbol of the choice which the couple is to make, something wonderful and far away, but weighed down with significance. A dry barren landscape indicates an emotional emptiness or ambiguity but the presence of the train tracks indicates a fork in the road or a change that is coming.

Apprehension of the symbolism in “Hills Like White Elephants” enables the readers to realize how much is hidden under the surface of the story. The characters never refer to abortion directly, but by their tension, description of the environment, and contrast of light and shadow, the question of the difficult choice they are making is implied. It’s a great example of how little can say a lot, and how there is more to each and every detail presented in the literature if one knows where to look for it.

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