Tutorial

TSL 3102 Literature in English

Hills Like White Elephants

Ainul Mardiah binti Azizi Norpahana binti Sukarno Nurul Ain binti Rahman Niwahsinee Adaikalam

Question:
In Hills like White Elephant,the couple discuss an issue that relates to social issues. How are the views of the characters presented? How does the writer evoke social/ postmodern views?

1 st answer:
Hemingways Hills like White Elephant is a story

where an American man and a girl (Jig) are discussing about aborting their baby while waiting for their train. The American man proves to be a manipulating male chauvinist as he tries to persuade Jig into undergoing abortion. Meanwhile, Jig seems to be in a dilemma as she is unsure of her hearts desire. She wants to satisfy the man but at the same time wants to have the child as she claims that once they take it away, you never get it back.

 Both the man and Jig have broken the social code by

deciding to undergo abortion as it is strictly prohibited by the religion and law at that time. Furthermore, it is not mentioned whether the man and Jig are married. Therefore, it is possible that the child is conceived out of wedlock. Hence, by disregarding the views of religion, law and morality and focusing on individualism the writer has instilled postmodern views in this story. This is because neither the man nor Jig is concern about what the society might think about them as postmodern view focuses more on the welfare of the individual. Thus, Hemingway has implied the uprising postmodern view in his story.

2nd answer:
The views of the male character towards

the problem: Dont take it seriously tough it regards life Insensitive Influence the girl to do immoral things; i.e ask to drink beer Dont put religious into consideration; every religious disapprove abortion The American man thinks that he is superior than the girl

 The views of the female character

towards the problem:The girl is confused At the same time she tries to say that she wants the child and hints that she would like to settle down Sarcastic See the problem as a stepping stone to a better life

 Social/post-modern views: Their relationship is doubted (maybe, husband &

wife, boyfriend & girlfriend & etc.) If they were unmarried, it is against the law & religious to be pregnant The story tells about a couple discussing about having abortion. This shows that the social conditions and culture has been changed. As it is stated that postmodernity is a condition or a state of being associated with changes to institutions, conditions and with change in social and political results (Giddens, 1990). Thus, the writer evokes social/post modern views by highlighting the topic of abortion discussed by most probably the unmarried couple.

3rd answer
The short story highlights about an abortion when a couple who had conversation to abort a baby at a station. From the American mans view, abortion was a normal norm and simple process if a girl was pregnant. The white elephant which is referred to the baby only carried a disturbance to him. It shows that he was immoral because every religion prohibits to carry out an abortion. Besides, he was also a realistic man because he did not consider the difficulties that the girl has to face on and wanted to continue their relationship as before. The girl was in dilemma whether she wanted to abort the child or not. The man used his mans power to manipulate the girl and made her felt confused and mentally tortured.

4th answer
Abortion is one of the social issues that is being discussed in this story. It is against our norms and all religions prohibit child abortion. This is because we believe child is a precious gift from God. In Hills Like White Elephant the American is obviously prefers her to abort the baby as he thinks it will disturb his lifestyle and burden him. But the girl insists to do it. She is in dilemma to choose either to abort the baby or not. It portrays how men always take things easy without concern about womens feeling. Their words are considered orders and thus, make women to be oppressed mentally.