McCullough 1
Brennan McCullough
Dr. Mary Barnes
ENG 252
31 October 2018
Symbolism and Its Effects in “Hills Like White Elephants”
In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants,” the two characters, Jig and her
American boyfriend, are faced with an important decision. Although Hemingway does not directly
say what this issue is the reader can intuit that Jig is pregnant and the couple is contemplating
having an abortion. Throughout the story they discuss this hidden matter and Hemingway uses
many symbols to show the growing conflict between Jig and her boyfriend. He uses the hills and
scenery, a beaded curtain, and the train station, along with the couple’s luggage to amplify the
