Comparing Hills Like White Elephants And The Horse Dealer's Daughter

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The two stories chosen are “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway written in 1927 and “The Horse Dealer’s Daughter” by D.H. Lawrence written in 1922. I decided to do comparing selfishness in both of these stories. The main characters in “Hills Like White Elephants” are the American and girlfriend Jig dealing with an unwanted pregnancy and an operation. The American suggests that his single, carefree lifestyle doesn’t include a child. The American could have been upfront with Jigs and insisting on the operation. However, he is passive aggressive throughout their conversation leaving nothing resolved. The main characters in “The Horse Dealer’s Daughter” are Mabel Pervin and Dr. Jack Ferguson. They’re dealing with poverty, social standing and looming loneliness. She insists that Dr. Jack Ferguson loves her based on Jack saving her from attempted suicide. Mabel desperately seeks a stable life and lifting her from poverty convincing Jack that he must love her. …show more content…

The American wants to remain carefree, travel and live life to its fullest. He’s determination to convince Jigs to have an operation, while appearing as though he doesn’t care what she does. While Mabel Pervin, though she doesn’t love Dr. Jack Ferguson, doesn’t want to remain in poverty and seeks a stable home. She goes along with the idea that indeed he must love her. Throughout the story the American behaves as he doesn’t care if Jigs has the operation, he oversimplifies the operation and pursues her into having it. While the American and Jig share a beer at the train station, a conversation ensues. The following conversation supports the topic selfishness. “I know we will. You don’t have to be afraid. I’ve known lots of people that have done

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