"Summarize the author's key ideas. Identify at least three examples/details that enhanced your understanding of the story. You can also address questions that the analysis provoked, or parts that you did not understand or agree with."
Make sure to follow guidelines for posting (posted on my website).
After analyzing the literary article on “HLWE,” I gained a further understanding on how Hemingway incorporates metaphors into an already intricate topic. Hemingway’s text sparked debate over whether or not Jig had an abortion done. The author of this text sided with the fact that Jig did not have her abortion done. One of his key points is how the “hills” (Wyche 1), are a metaphor for the unborn child. He constantly states the story can be understood, if and only, if the reader understands the metaphorical meaning of the abortion. The next key point of the author is how the “protagonists’ love affair in controversial” (Wyche 2). He goes on to explain that other scholars may suggest alternate realities, but how his is the most accurate. This is because he takes into account the variety of attitudes against the subject of abortion such as the American and Jig. He next goes on into speaking of just abortion solely. He contemplates the different styles that Hemingway wrote with. Wyche implies that Hemingway wrote the story in order to create a controversy. The rest of his analysis goes on to describe how the American tries to force Jig to have an abortion. He uses a multitude of examples to enhance his point. One example that enhanced my understanding of the story was when Wyche wrote, “The cloud shadow that Fig sees moving across the fertile grain field as foreshadowing the death of her unborn child” (Wyche 2). While I read that line, in my first read through, I thought of it as little significance. Even though I knew that dark clouds boded ill coming, I never paid close attention to Hemingway’s reason for incorporating them into the story. I understood now that the dark clouds over the fertile plain meant that there was injustice occurring. Additionally one more piece of evidence that enlightened me was the contrast between the placement of the fertile land and the barren land. “The setting illustrates Jig’s choice between sterility and fertility” (Wyche 3). At first, I had thought that the placement of the land was just a mere coincidence. The deepest that I pondered, was realizing that she was being mistreated on the “wrong side.” However, after reading this I grasped why Hemmingway had these lands in their designated places. He wanted to illustrate how Jig’s life had to change if she didn’t want to be stuck on the barren side. The barren side in this case means going through with the abortion. The final detail that Wyche spoke about was the felt pads. “It appeared as if the felt pads places beneath….images of the operating room…soak up the blood” (Wyche 3). This made me think more about the iceberg effect that Hemingway is widely known for. Even something as mundane as felt pads were there to enhance the story’s meaning. I learned that there is more to Hemingway’s story than meets the eye. Throughout reading the literary article I stumbled upon some questions. Wyche referred to Jig’s name carrying sexual innuendo. I did not understand what a name like “Jig” has to do with anything sexual. Throughout the article, Wyche refers to the American as being an all-powerful person. I did not understand why Hemingway or Wyche included that into the story. I got the fact that Americans are seen as snooty, but I disagree with the fact that they are seen as pushy. I also disagree with the fact when Wyche refers to “Jig’s smile” (Wyche 4), as her planning to have the abortion, but leaves her partner. I would more likely agree with the fact that Jig leaves her partner and does not have the abortion. The entire article opened my eyes to the subtle hints that Hemingway implements into his story, and gave me a better understanding of “HLWE” as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI found the point from Wyche's analysis suggesting the entire story to be created as a controversy very interesting. I did not think of how an unanswered question could cause such interest in a text. This causes me to wonder how most authors choose to write something so in depth to create the readers to ponder many different realms of their piece; maybe their point in writing is to see how long they can get their story to stick in a reader's head. Living as a legend through theories and conspiracies on their own personal writing- a good marketing strategy. I was also shocked when you mentioned the reference to felt pads as operating supplies, soaking up blood. This made me reevaluate the small details in the writing I would have otherwise overlooked. I agree with you on the reasoning behind the smile, I believe she will not have the abortion as well, why would she leave her partner and have the abortion; who would she be pleasing?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfter annotating the short story "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway, incorporates an abundant amount of metaphors that causes the reader to understand more about the story and its background with the author saying very little. However, since Hemingway includes as little as possible in his stories, he purposefully leaves the reader questioning whether or not the couple had the abortion or not. The author, David Wyche, believes the idea that the couple did or did not receive the abortion relies heavily on the metaphors throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteThe most prominent metaphors in the short story that force the reader to understand the conflict between the American and the girl are: the "Hills" mentioned throughout the story, the station that the couple is in, and the nickname "Jig" that was given to the women that was pregnant.
This author argued that the "hills" mentioned are a metaphor for the couples unborn child (Wyche 2). He also argues that the position of the station is very important to the stories plot (Wyche 2). There are two sides on the station, which both have a completely different landscape than that of the other. On one side, the hills are white and dry, but on the other they contain fields of grain and grass banks. This difference in scenery is a symbol of the couples choice between keeping the child or having the operation. The girls nickname, jig, also plays a part in the story's outline (Wyche 2). This is because her nickname has sexual and mechanical meanings to it. The sexual meaning is referring to the dance called the jig; the mechanical meaning is connecting it to a piece of machinery that hold work in place and guides the tools operating on it. However, the sexual meaning to her name, according to the story, is that the American sees her for the sexual benefits and her having a baby disturbs this. The mechanical meaning, in regards to the story, is referring to the surgery equipment that would be used during the operation if the couple received it.
This article written by David Wyche has really forced me to see the story in a much more deeper sense rather than just words on a piece of paper. After reading the short story myself, and after reading Wyche's literature piece, I definitely agree with the idea that the couple did not receive the abortion at the end of the short story; however, it has also caused me to see why other people may argue that the couple did receive the abortion.
I like how you took the approach of the usage of metaphors throughout the story to portray a different meaning. I definitely liked that you included "the hills" metaphor that brings a different interpretation to the table. If i had to change one thing about this, it would be to include some more examples on how the author uses metaphors throughout the article.
DeleteIn the analytical text about Hemmingway’s, “Hills like White Elephants” by David Wyche, the author advocates that Hemmingway’s journalistic approach to writing allows the audience to be open to all the possible connotations of the story, while also being able to form their own personal opinion about it. Wyche argues that Hemmingway’s short and concise method of storytelling means that every detail he provides holds an underlying, symbolic purpose. Wyche claims that there are two possible endings to the story of HLWE; either Jig gets an abortion, or she doesn’t. Figuring out which conclusion is “correct”, however, is determined by careful analyzation of the story’s symbolism and dialogue. Wyche personally believes that Jig does not in fact terminate her pregnancy and he argues this idea by closely analyzing the connotations of the diction Hemmingway uses as well as the ever present symbolism. Since the majority of HLWE is dialogue, the few instances in which the reader is given the setting or any other details are incredibly valuable to understanding the story. Wyche explains that “On one side are the, “hills on the dry side of the valley” which symbolize sterility and on the other side, “fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro” which symbolize fertility. This deepened my understanding of the story because at first I didn’t pay much attention to the setting. At the end of the story when the man moves their bags to the other side, this is symbolic of the decision Jig makes to keep her pregnancy. Wyche also claims that no matter what the decision, the couple will not be able to “look at things and try new drinks” the way they used to because the literal abortion the couple discusses can also be an “allegorical abortion” and apply to the stance of their relationship. Wyche also claims that the character of Jig is dynamic as she progresses from seeking approval from her partner to making her own decision and standing by it. At the end of the story when Jig smiles and says, “I feel fine”, she is almost gloating about her victory. This article really changed my perspective as I was originally siding with the conclusion that Jig did have the abortion but after reading this I feel very compelled to the idea that she did not in fact terminate her pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteFarheen, you present a well thought response to Wyche's analysis "Hills like White Elephants." When we read the story in class, I was leaning towards the decision that Jig does not go through with the abortion but I still had my doubts. Your point about how the fertility of the landscape on one side of the station compared to the barren hills confirms my belief that the Jig does not get an abortion. Given Hemingway's "journalistic" approach to writing, as you said, it is very difficult to tell what is the true meaning of the story. I agree with what you said about taking in as much as possible with the few details that are provided. However, I think that the author uses so much dialogue in his work to enhance the differences in communication between the two characters. Taking in what I read for my article, I think that considering the story from both Jig's and the American's point of view will allow you to consider the story on a deeper meaning.
DeleteIn Hemingway’s short story, “Hills Like White Elephants,” the author utilizes multiple metaphors to connote a deeper meaning or underlying meaning of the text. These metaphors become apparent when reading the literary article,” Letting Air Into A Relationship: Metaphorical Abortion,” by David Wyche in which he explains the background of the story and the metaphors employed by Hemingway.
ReplyDeleteDavid Wyche argues that the text can “support two equal and opposite meaning” (Wyche 2) which are the abortion did occur and it did not occur. Wyche argues when the baggage is shifted from one side of the station to the other it reveals that both Jig and the American have had a change in thought and are changing their plans. Whether the shifting of the baggage is showing a change of plans from having an abortion or to not having one and vice versa is up to the reader’s interpretation. Wyche uses “the shadow of the cloud" (Wyche 2), to illustrate how it could mean something dark is occurring and the fights between the couple are only going to grow bigger or it could mean the clouds mean a sign of life because it would allow rain to a “parched valley”.
Wyche touches on the shifting of the baggage from one rail to another; however, the landscape that is described also serves to show the tie metaphorically to whether or not Jig and the American are deciding on abortion. One side of the “hills is dry and parched” while the other side of the hill are “fields of grain and trees” (Wyche 3). These two contrasting landscapes, Wyche explains, are illustrating Jig’s decision between having an abortion or not. Moreover, Wyche explains it is her choice “between sterility and fertility”; however, he does not go on to explain which landscape illustrates which decision so again it is up to be the readers interpretation on whether the “fields of grains and trees” could mean the happiness and freedom of not having a baby. These metaphor again shows the underlying meaning Hemmingway employs in the meaning of the text. On the surface Hemmingway is just describing two hills; however, the two different outcomes of a decision is shown through the “hills” or the landscapes. These landscapes portray the grim or prosperous future that could occur based on the decision Jig makes.
Another piece of evidence that clears up the meaning of the text is the portrayal of Jig being very young and reliant on others. In the text she asks what the curtain’s advertisement (Wyche 3) meant, this shows how she is still very new and needs to ask questions which have seemingly obvious answers. This also exemplifies her lack of the ability to express herself in a new country, which in effect also emphasizes her lack of ability to become a mother. Throughout the text she is referenced as a girl which also illustrates Jig’s lack of knowledge these questions and lack of knowledge she shows such as asking if Anis Del Toro is good with water (Wyche) exemplify how unwise and unfit she is for motherhood. It also illustrates how unsure or decisive she is in making the decision of having an abortion or not. The constant questioning shows she isn’t able to come to a conclusion on her decision with the American.
In Hemingway’s short story, “Hills Like White Elephants,” the author utilizes multiple metaphors to connote a deeper meaning or underlying meaning of the text. These metaphors become apparent when reading the literary article,” Letting Air Into A Relationship: Metaphorical Abortion,” by David Wyche in which he explains the background of the story and the metaphors employed by Hemingway.
ReplyDeleteDavid Wyche argues that the text can “support two equal and opposite meaning” (Wyche 2) which are the abortion did occur and it did not occur. Wyche argues when the baggage is shifted from one side of the station to the other it reveals that both Jig and the American have had a change in thought and are changing their plans. Whether the shifting of the baggage is showing a change of plans from having an abortion or to not having one and vice versa is up to the reader’s interpretation. Wyche uses “the shadow of the cloud" (Wyche 2), to illustrate how it could mean something dark is occurring and the fights between the couple are only going to grow bigger or it could mean the clouds mean a sign of life because it would allow rain to a “parched valley”.
Wyche touches on the shifting of the baggage from one rail to another; however, the landscape that is described also serves to show the tie metaphorically to whether or not Jig and the American are deciding on abortion. One side of the “hills is dry and parched” while the other side of the hill are “fields of grain and trees” (Wyche 3). These two contrasting landscapes, Wyche explains, are illustrating Jig’s decision between having an abortion or not. Moreover, Wyche explains it is her choice “between sterility and fertility”; however, he does not go on to explain which landscape illustrates which decision so again it is up to be the readers interpretation on whether the “fields of grains and trees” could mean the happiness and freedom of not having a baby. These metaphor again shows the underlying meaning Hemmingway employs in the meaning of the text. On the surface Hemmingway is just describing two hills; however, the two different outcomes of a decision is shown through the “hills” or the landscapes. These landscapes portray the grim or prosperous future that could occur based on the decision Jig makes.
Another piece of evidence that clears up the meaning of the text is the portrayal of Jig being very young and reliant on others. In the text she asks what the curtain’s advertisement (Wyche 3) meant, this shows how she is still very new and needs to ask questions which have seemingly obvious answers. This also exemplifies her lack of the ability to express herself in a new country, which in effect also emphasizes her lack of ability to become a mother. Throughout the text she is referenced as a girl which also illustrates Jig’s lack of knowledge these questions and lack of knowledge she shows such as asking if Anis Del Toro is good with water (Wyche) exemplify how unwise and unfit she is for motherhood. It also illustrates how unsure or decisive she is in making the decision of having an abortion or not. The constant questioning shows she isn’t able to come to a conclusion on her decision with the American.
This article expressed the ideas that I couldn't put into words during our activity in class when we had to argue about whether Jig went ahead with the abortion or not. I had sided with that she did not have the abortion, that she kept her pregnancy. Here, Wyche tells me why I was right. He addresses the setting changes at the end of the story to support the idea that Jig does not have the abortion. The white hills at the beginning symbolize infertility, barrenness. At the end of the story, the American moves their bags to the other side of the track where there the vegetation is lush and plentiful. Jig is described to be in a much happier mood. She smiles at the woman that gives her the train's arrival time. She smiles as she says "I'm fine. There is nothing wrong with me," to the American. Wyche hit the nail on the head when he characterized the entire story as "an emotionally charged negotiation." He ties the controversial issue of whether Jig has the abortion or not to a much less controversial issue of whether or not the couple stays together. Most people believe that the couple will fall apart. If there is any character growth, they grow in opposite directions. No partner concedes to the other's side of the argument. This also supports that jig will go even further into not going through with the abortion, while the American will go further into thinking she should have the abortion. This will destroy their relationship regardless of the outcome. An abortion will render their existence together irreparable. A child will drive the American away, likely teaching Jig to be more careful with men and her trust.
ReplyDeleteAfter scrutinizing the details within “Letting the Air into the Relationship: Metaphorical Abortion in ‘Hill White Elephants” by David Wyche, it can be seen that Wyche incorporates ideas from others and then tying it all together to determine the metaphorical meaning behind the abortion with “Hills Like White Elephants”. Wyche starts off his essay with this conceptual thought by Hilary K. Justice about how the metaphorical meaning behind the abortion was related to Ernest Hemingway’s “relationship with his second wife” (Wyche 1). This emphasizes this idea of an alternative “outside the box” thinking where the story is just a symbolical piece of literature that was used to symbolize Hemingway’s own issues. Much like where Wyche states “this reading is consistent with the variety of critical interpretations, available biographical evidence lends additional support” (Wyche 1). There is a infinite amount of interpretation on what this indirect reference of an abortion actually means which causes an infinite amount theories to be made in order to abridge the overall theme of the story.
ReplyDeleteOne example that Wyche included that enhanced by understanding of the story was when he quotes “When Jig observes that the hills ‘look like white elephants,’ the American says that he has ‘never seen one.’ ‘No, you wouldn’t have,’ Jig replies” (Wyche 4). While I was reading the this short story, I never gave this section of the conversation a second thought and automatically inferred that there were no symbolic value behind this little chatterness. Wyche goes on talking about how the American thinks of this whole ordeal as a simple choice and something that doesn’t need be contemplated about while “To Jig, the unborn child she carries is eminently, painfully real” (Wyche 4). It’s much like the saying, “you don’t fully understand someone’s problems until you’re in their shoes taking their journey” where the American shows no sympathy towards the predicament that was indirectly forced upon Jig who is pressured in either getting an abortion thus living a happy life with her significant other or carry on the pregnancy without the full support of the American.
Another example that emphasized the truth behind the concept of abortion within this literary work is the discussion within Wyche’s essay about the American’s comment about how “We can have the whole world” (Wyche 6). The purpose of this simplicit comment is to exaggerate the freedom the American feels if the girl does get an abortion. It shows how the American is not fully committed to whatever was coming if the girl continues with her pregnancy, which would impact the child negatively in the future. Tying back to the quote, Wyche discusses about how the American wishes to be immersed in the lavish life he once had before the consequences he now faces. This triggers this connection I had while reading “Hills Like White Elephants” where the man repeatedly reminds the girl that he does not wish for this operation to come into action if the girl does not want the abortion. This repetition of questioning caused me to infer that the American’s goal of this cycle of annoyance was to, somewhat, persuade the girl in giving his life back by sacrificing an unborn’s life in exchange. This whole alternative thinking caused me to realize more about this straightforward conversation between two people and it really allowed me to see things that were indirectly referenced within the story.
The literary article, “Letting Air Into A Relationship: Metaphorical Abortion” by David Wyche, explores the various interpretations of Hemmingway’s “Hills like White Elephants” in which the author utilizes several ambiguous metaphors which stimulated an ongoing debate of whether Jig had an abortion. Wyche states that it is vital to analyze the metaphors and symbols in the text to conclude the answer to this mystery. He believes that Jig did not endure an abortion which he deduced by analyzing the metaphors and prevalent symbolism in both the dialogue and the narrative. He mentions that the “hills” are a significant metaphor for Jig’s fetus; the contrast of the arid land and the fertile land are parallel to the differing effects of either terminating or maintaining her pregnancy. Wyche states, “On one side are the ‘hills on the dry side of the valley’” which symbolizes sterility and an empty womb because of its arid description and “on the other are ‘fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro’ which represents fertility. This analysis helped me to understand the difficult situation that Jig had encountered in which she was at a crossroads to make her decision. However, Wyche explains that either decision will drastically alter her relationship with the American. Wyche also hints at another metaphor that I was unaware of when reading the text which is the frequent mention of trying new alcoholic drinks. He states that “The aborted fetus will continue to come between them as they try to ‘look at things and try new drinks.’” The metaphor for the attempt to experience new drinks translates to the unsuccessful efforts in rekindling their relationship which is a consequence of having the abortion. This idea solidified Wyche’s argument that Jig did not terminate her pregnancy because the abortion would have yielded the losses of her unborn child and her lover, while seeking her full term would have resulted in only one loss.
ReplyDeleteWyche also mentions the symbolism of the American transferring the couple’s bags to the opposite side and Jig’s smile at the end of the narrative. The relocation of the bags “to the other side of the station” is ambiguous; however, this action implies that “a decision has been reached.” One can interpret that this action symbolizes how Jig averted from the American’s persuasion to abort their fetus and the American had to accept her decision, as if he had joined the opposite side, the fertile hills of the valley. The symbolism of Jig’s smile may be plausible evidence that she did not terminate her pregnancy. Her smile after stating “I feel fine” can be interpreted as a sign of triumph for not surrendering her right to keep her unborn child. This literary article had drastically changed my perspective and understanding of the story. I had originally believed that Jig had aborted her fetus; however, the thought-provoking ideas that Wyche had presented led me to the conclusion that my theory was inaccurate. I admired how although Wyche had stated his stance on this debate, he presented the ideas of the opposing side which makes the writer less biased. The contrast in ideas also helped me to deduce why the belief that Jig had an abortion is wrong. I disagree with the assertion that “Jig’s smile might indicate gratitude for his concession (Justice 26), satisfaction that “she has decided to have the abortion” but leave her partner” because throughout the text, she seemed opposed to having an abortion and if she terminated her pregnancy and left the American, she would have experienced two significant losses. Wyche’s argument that Jig had maintained her pregnancy and left her partner or the relationship was mutually dissolved is more plausible because she was opposed to abortion and the American did not want to have a child.