Literature is much more than simply a compilation of words thrown down into a book that work together to make a story that one can understand. Nearly every author that takes the time to write a book or short story is looking to not only tell a story, but to put forth their own ideas and beliefs that one can possibly relate to. Literature can be used as an outlet by those who read to relax.
Reading the two short stories each character has to come to terms with their conflict. The first short story “Story of an Hour”, Mrs. Mallard and the second short story “Hills like White Elephants”, Jig both have decisions of life and happiness and possibly what direction they will travel to reach their destination.
Within any written literature there is some kind of conflict and in the two short stories there is no shortage. In “Story of an Hour”, Mrs. Mallard is in conflict with herself. In the second short story, “Hills like White Elephants”, Jig is not only in conflict with the American, and she is also in conflict with herself of what to do.
In “Hills like White Elephants”, Jig is trying to come to terms on what to do. She want the American
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Mallard has and epiphany while sitting in her room grieving for her late husband. Epiphany is not the only technique that is discovered during the short story. The others that could be seen are: situational and dramatic irony, imagery and symbolism. Mrs. Mallard came to the realization that she can indeed continue living life to the fullest even after the news of her husband’s passing. Imagery is when she was sitting in her room looking out of the window and seeing the sights outside through her window. Both situational and dramatic irony play a role in this story also. Even though Mrs. Mallard had a sick heart, she also was ached by a heavy heart from the news of the passing of her husband but realized that things would be alright but at the end of the short story she saw him (her husband) and died of
The 1920's was a time where women struggled to overcome the traditional dominance of men. During this time, Ernest Hemingway, an author known to write about controversial issues between men and women, wrote Hills Like White Elephants. In the story, we can see the conflicting sides of Jig and the man regarding the issue of abortion. Hemingway uses a third-person, telegraphic writing style and also equips the use of symbolism to convey the feelings and development of characters and also create a better understanding of his piece. Along with those devices, Hemingway also shapes the tone of the characters in their dialogue to show the shifting of emotions. The purpose in using these devices is to effectively show the evolution of a dominated girl (Jig) to an assertive woman, and, in the bigger picture, show the struggle that women go through in order to empower themselves. By allowing us, as readers, to get a better picture of how Jig gradually evolves from a childish and indecisive girl into an independent and assertive woman, Hemingway succeeds in effectively displaying female empowerment through Hills Like White Elephants.
In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” expresses the controversial conversation between a couple about an abortion of their unborn child. There are significant differences between the short story and short film. The film altered the original story by making the problems in the relationship explicit to the audience rather than the in the story.
In “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway creates the message that men are able to manipulate women. He conveys this message through Jig and the American man’s relationship.
In “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ermest Hemingway, we are introduced to Jig and her lover. These two seem bothered by what has yet to come in conclusion to their blurry night after drinking. Unsure of her decision to terminate her pregnancy or not, Jig and her lover (who remained unnamed) seem to both be in a shocked state and are constantly at an emotional war with one another. She subjects herself to her lover and as uneasy as she seems, still agrees to go forward with the abortion. Soon, Jig learns to deal with her problems alone because the conclusion will remain static because what’s meant to be will prosper. In this story, Jig submits herself to the careless lover out of her lack of confidence within herself. We see these struggles through the tone, metaphorical usage as well as personification, allegory and the continuous dialogue between her and the lover.
Bill Miller of the short story “Neighbors” is described as a confused and weak person as he attempts to live the life of his neighbors, the Stones. In “Hills Like White Elephants,” the antagonist, Jig, is optimistic and confident. However, Bill and Jig are not completely different from each other, not just about their genders, but also the ways that they feel about situations and themselves. The reader can see the change of Bill and Jig as the stories gets told. In the end of the
In both “Eveline” by James Joyce and “Hills like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemmingway, the characters are forced to make important life changing decisions. This is just one of the many similarities between stories. One thing that was obvious to me while reading each of these short stories was the presence of a dominant male antagonist in each story; The father in “Eveline” and the American in “Hills like White Elephants.” These two characters have many of the same traits and motives. Another thing these two stories have in common is the how the setting of each story affects the storyline directly. The authors portray these, along with many other concerts, in great detail throughout each story.
Initially, Jig plays a traditionally feminine role in which she is passive and dependent on the American man she is with. While sitting in the shade outside the station, “The girl was looking off at the line of hills. They were white in the sun and the country was brown and dry,” (273). Looking at the lifeless side of the valley, she considers having the abortion. When she tells the American that “[the hills] look like white elephants,” he counters, “I’ve never seen one,” (273).
On one side, the landscape is lifeless, no shade, no trees, hot, and dry. On the other side, the landscape is lush with a flowing river, fields of grain and trees, symbolizing to give life. As Jig is walking back and forth between these two clashing landscapes, she is contemplating both sides of the conflict, life with the baby and life without. With the last sentence of this short story reading: “I feel fine…There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine” Jig is implying that the problem is with the American not her. Therefore, even though the ending is conclusive, the last sentence leads readers to believe Jib is keeping the baby.
Literature functions as a reflection of society and a creator of cultural ideas. Throughout the existence of the human race, literature has played a vital role in the distribution of ideas and as a way of communication. Literature can be used in many ways, whether it be to explain, persuade, or inform.
Some people are unaware of what literature really means. Literature is referring to something that deals with a body of written works; within poems, plays and novels. Literature is used to explore human experiences in all possibilities. It is something that deals with our most apprehensiveness such as death, family, religion, good and evil, character, courage, and more. “While the information is represented in abstract form and generalized: facts, statistics, and data” (Gillespie, 20). It offers a different type of learning than just collecting information by, requiring us to experience things and participate. When looking for literature in stories you want to look for irony, symbolism, the theme, setting, main characters and supporting characters.
In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” it is easy to tell how Dialogue is a very powerful tool to use in storytelling. Dialogue has the power to give information about characters including their goals and personality. It also has the ability to strengthen a story with details to paint an image in the readers mind. In the short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” Hemingway uses dialogue in a number of ways to enhance his story. Hemingway’s use of almost total dialogue displays the personality, motivations, and concerns of both the American and Jig.
In Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants”, the American and Jig are like the tracks at the train station, they can never meet. While Jig represents fertility, life and continuity, the American represents sterility, dryness and death. Unfortunately, Jig depends emotionally on the American – as many women depended on their male counterparts in the 1940s – and lacks the autonomy and willpower required to openly affirm herself in their relationship. As they struggle to find common ground, the very discussion that can bring them together only tears them apart. The differences in each character – in their personality, means of communication and desires – truly emphasize the constant opposition that burns between them, this very opposition leads to the couple’s inevitable separation, as Jig discovers herself and her independence through the dilemma at hand.
Literature is simply defined as written works that are considered to be exceptional, expressive and important. (Merriam-Webster). We now live in a world where everything can be accessed in an instant on the Internet. Therefore, it seems as though the appreciation of literature is dwindling and only prominent in educational settings. However, the classical definition of literature is changing. The written works deemed important can now be found in news articles, personal blog posts, or poetic comments on websites. Literature is a setting where writers can express their creativity, readers can challenge their perspectives and talkers can discuss their opinions. In Richard Miller’s text “The Dark Night of the Soul,” he asked the question “what
The two texts convey the theme of freedom over confinement by the use of symbols. In The Story of an Hour, after Mrs. Mallard rushes to her room she sits down in a comfortable chair and “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were aquiver with new spring and life.” The open window symbolizes freedom and opportunities that await her now that her husband is gone. Everything she is experiencing while looking out the window suggests feelings of joy and
Literature is creative writing of recognized artistic value. Literature represents the very best of human expression. We read and celebrate Literature for many reasons. A few of these reasons are,- to be inspired, to be delighted, to embark on incredible ventures and others.