"Hills Like White Elephants" is Hemingway's short story about an American couple, presumably on vacation in Spain, discussing a very difficult topic. Actually, they are doing their best not to discuss it. At first, they simply talk about what drinks they might order and the scenery. Then the conversation turns to what the reader assumes is the topic of abortion. The man seems to be urging the girl to have one, despite continually saying, "if...
"Hills Like White Elephants" is Hemingway's short story about an American couple, presumably on vacation in Spain, discussing a very difficult topic. Actually, they are doing their best not to discuss it. At first, they simply talk about what drinks they might order and the scenery. Then the conversation turns to what the reader assumes is the topic of abortion. The man seems to be urging the girl to have one, despite continually saying, "if you don't want to you don't have to."
During the early part of their conversation, the girl mentions that the hills in the distance look like white elephants. A white elephant sometimes refers to a gift that is worthless or useless. The hills are symbolic of the baby the girl is carrying. Later, however, and arguably the most significant moment in their conversation, the girl says,
"They're lovely hills," she said. "They don't really look like white elephants. I just meant the color of their skin through the trees."
Her comment reveals her true feelings about having the baby. Unfortunately, the man doesn't catch her meaning and continues to try to convince her to go through with the abortion. They basically talk in circles for the remainder of the story until the girl says,
"Would you please please please please please please please please stop talking?"
At the end, the man is drinking at the bar and the girl at the table, signifying the probable end of their relationship.
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