Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" dramatizes a perennial problem we have all more than likely encountered: the lack of communication within a relationship. Hemingway tells this tale through an ongoing conversation between the two main characters of the story, the American and Jig. The conflict in question is inferred through both context clues and dialogue, and appears to be what most readers agree is an unexpected pregnancy. The overall problem throughout the piece is the couple's inability to express their thoughts on the topic, particularly their differing opinions. A clear absence of communication is essentially what creates a rift between the couple, and further drives Hemingway's message about how we as individuals do not fully communicate our feelings, either to protect others or to protect ourselves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWe can begin by considering the American's point of view. From superficial guesses, he is clearly a younger, more carefree man, and it is quite evident that he is extremely fond of his current lifestyle, particularly his ability to travel and explore new horizons at will. So he wouldn't be too keen on becoming a father in the near future. The American makes it clear that he would like Jig to undergo the abortion procedure, but his dialogue does not express this opinion to the extent it should. He chimes in with his opinions stating, “It's really a terribly simple operation, Jig. It's not really an operation… I know you wouldn't mind, Jig” (Hemingway 203). This short statement says a lot about the American's character. In an attempt to define the reality of the situation, and draw a conclusion for both of them, he reiterates twice what the operation “really” entails. By suggesting how simple abortion is, he radically downplays the severity of the operation. Clearly his comment is false, and the cursory mention of the procedure completely undermines the comment. Ultimately the American seems deceitful about the issue, as he addresses the topic in a forthright manner. If the operation were really as small as he lets on, he would not need to exaggerate its simplicity, nor would Jig have the emotional response he gives to his suggestions. The American position on the issue comes across repeatedly in the story. In one instance, he responds to Jig's hesitation by stating, “Well, if you don't want to, you don't have to. I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to. But I know it's very simple” (Hemingway 204). The American often makes passive-aggressive comments towards Jig, perhaps to protect his feelings or to protect his own image. His communication with her can, without a doubt, be interpreted as manipulative. While he admits that the decision is Jig's, he still manages to find a way to promote the safety and simplicity of the operation. Although he never clearly says what he wants to happen, he never stops proposing the idea, in the hope of convincing her. Rather than show his true nature, he treads lightly when discussing the topic and leaves the decision making entirely up to Jig. The American's statements throughout the piece illuminate the theme of miscommunication and how it plays out within the story. On the contrary, we can hypothesize that Jig was thinking about keeping the baby, but was hesitant for fear of what the American would think of her. . He specifically states, “And if I do this you will be happy and things will go back to the way they were before and you will love me?” (Hemingway 204).With this statement, it becomes evident that Jig is extremely concerned about keeping her relationship intact during this time. At one point in their conversation, his fear is evident in his statement “-we could have it all,” implying a happy and easy life with each other, “-we could have it all and every day we make it more impossible ” (Hemingway 204). Jig is aware that having the baby could very well take away this opportunity. So, he feels the need to protect his relationship from this “hiccup,” for lack of a better term. When the operation begins to be mentioned more than once in their conversation, thanks to the American's persistence, Jig interrupts him by saying, "Can't we stop talking?" (Hemingway 205). Despite feeling uncomfortable, the American starts talking again, even after she repeatedly begs him to stop. This clear disregard for her wishes shows that, even though the American believes the conversation is necessary, both are not listening to each other or communicating as a couple should. All in all, Jig's opinion throughout the story seems to be overlooked, and as readers, this assumption is confirmed when he states, “I feel good. There's nothing wrong with me. I feel good” (Hemingway 206). We are not told whether she is “fine” with having an abortion or getting pregnant. It's clearly a defining moment in the story, but audiences are still left with an inconclusive ending. Jig has come to a decision at the end of the story, and it's most likely not a choice she made for her well-being, but rather for the relationship. Unmistakably and indirectly, literary components, such as narrative, setting, and symbolism, also contribute to the development of the overall problem of miscommunication in this story. "Hills Like White Elephants" is written from the third-person objective point of view, meaning the story offers no insight into the characters' thoughts; the plot is told primarily through observation. Having the narrative this way doesn't give the audience access to exactly what each of the characters thinks about the surgery. We, as an audience, are forced to work on their dialogue and body language to get a sense of where the characters' heads are at, regarding the idea of ​​aborting their baby. I believe Hemingway used this narrative point of view to further make his audience uncomfortable, as well as to mimic the feeling of being an eyewitness to the event; further putting the audience in the couple's shoes. Furthermore, the setting of “Hills Like White Elephants” serves as a symbolic contribution to the communication theme of the piece. The train station is representative of the couple's relationship being at a crossroads. The station is a stopping point between Barcelona and Madrid and the main characters must decide where to go. In their situation it is a question of choosing whether to go to the site of the operation or stay; thus deciding to keep the baby. Furthermore, the contrast between the white hills and the barren valley described may highlight the difference between fertility and sterility, alluding to the choice that Jig faces. The story explains Jig's appreciation for landscapes, as he states, “They look like white elephants. They are lovely hills. They don't really look like white elephants. I simply meant the coloring of their skin through the trees” (Hemingway 203). Continuing the story, admire the landscape on the opposite side of the station: “The girl got up and walked to the end of the station. On the other side there were fields of corn and trees along the banks of the Ebro” (Hemingway 204). Jig seems to be torn between the two landscapes, as she is regarding.