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Women Inequality in Literature
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In “Hills Like White Elephants” and “The Story of an Hour”, the woman in each story imprisons in the domestic sphere. In “Hills Like White Elephants”, the woman in this story conflicts between keeping the baby or getting abortion although the relationship with her boyfriend would not improve as he said. In “The Story of an Hour”, even though Louise Mallard, an intelligent, independent woman understands that she should grieve for Brently, her husband and worry for her future, she cannot help herself from rejoice at her newfound freedom. The author of this story, Kate Chopin suggests that even with a happy marriage, the loss of freedom and the restraint are the results that cannot be avoid.
In “Hill Like White Elephants”, the story is about the conversation about the baby and getting abortion between a couple, the American man and his girlfriend. The story begins with the scene of them having a drink. Alcohol plays a big role in this story. They order two big beers and they think that beer will helps them to avoid the problems and fill their free time with anything but discussion about the matter. After a while, at one point, the girls says, “I wanted to try this new drink. That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” (Hemingway 30). This is not a statement that someone would say if they are in a healthy, happy relationship. The girl, in fact questions
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about the value and not very happy about the relationship with her boyfriend. The couples seem to talk back and forth about the problem that they are avoiding or the “elephant in the room”, which is an unavoidable problem that they aware of. Finally, the American bursts it out with, “It’s not really an operation at all” (Hemingway 40). This shows that the problem really bother the guy. He also says that he will go with her and their relationship will be fine afterward. The girl, on the other hand, is not only doubt about the procedure but also whether their relationship will really be all right and happy. Through these lines, the reader can concludes that this procedure is an abortion. The guy in this story seems to say anything to the girl to get her have the abortion because he does not want to get marriage or be responsible for the baby. The girl may or may not think about getting marriage and having a family. However, this is not a serious relationship or this is not the relationship that will turn into a marriage. She says “Then Ill do it. Because I don’t care about me.” (Hemingway 65). This shows that the girl is not ready to break up with the guy. She does not have a clear mind of what she wants, whether keep the baby and break up with him or get an abortion and continue to be with him. Another thing for her is that she is thinking about the baby and she compares the hills to white elephants. The author uses the white elephant as a symbol for the baby, an unwanted gift. However, she says that maybe she likes the white elephant. The reader can senses that she tries to say what if they keep the baby. However, the guy in this story is a practical person and he knows what he wants. He does not want to get marriage or have a family. This story takes place at a train station, a place where you stop and move on from. This is maybe the sign of where their relationship will head to, where the guy and the girl will head to different directions. In the second story, “The Story of an Hour”, Louise Mallard hears and grieves of her husband. Although Brently is a good husband, who loves and treats Louise well, this cannot overcome the freedom that she has lost from the marriage. The author begins the story with the heart trouble that afflicts Louise, which foretell about her death happens at the end. At the first glance, the heart trouble seems to affect Louise physically, however, Chopin also uses it as a symbol to represents her hesitation and unhappiness with her lack of freedom after the marriage. After hearing the news, Louise sobs and weeps when her sister tells her about Brently’s death, goes up stair and stay in the room by herself. She sits in a comfortable chair and opens the window. Instead of choosing a gloomy setting, Chopin writes, “she could see in the open square before her house top of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air” (Chopin 12-13). The reader can imagine that this is a spring setting through these lines. The author once again successfully uses the open window and the spring weather as a symbolic of the freedom and a new life that await Louise after he husband has died. As the story proceeds, her joy and excitement slowly and fearfully comes out of her as “she was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to posses her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will”, and “she said it over and over under her breath: ‘free, free, free!’” (Chopin 25). She daydreams and fantasizes about all the years ahead that will belong to her only, and she will have all the freedom for herself. It shows that the only way for Louise to escape this imprisonment and to have her own freedom after the marriage is through the death of her husband. Ironically, at the very end of the story, Brently shows up. As a result, Louise is so disappoint that she dies of her heart disease. In conclusion, both women in both stories imprisoned in domestic sphere.
In “Hills Like White Elephants”, the girl doubts between two decisions: keeps the baby and break up with the guys or gets an abortion and continues with the guys. This situation seems very familiar to this society, where people dates for fun not for marriage. In “The Story of an Hour”, the woman grieves about the death of her husband, however, at the same time, she realizes the freedom that she will have for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, she only enjoys the freedom that she has from the death of her husband for an
hour.
“Story of an Hour”, written by Kate Chopin presents a woman of the nineteenth century who is held back by societal constraints. The character, Louise Mallard, is left to believe that her husband has passed away. She quickly falls into a whirlwind of emotions as she sinks into her chair. Soon a sense of freedom overwhelms her body as she looks through the window of opportunity and times to come. She watches the world around her home run free as nature runs its course. Louise watches the blue sky as a rush of “monstrous joy” shoots through her veins (Chopin). She experiences a new sense of freedom. Although she sometimes loved her husband, his “death” breaks the chain that keeps her from experiencing a truly free life. Thoughts over times to
“Hills like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway is about a couple, the American and Jig, who contemplate whether or not to have an abortion. The premise of the story seems simple enough, but the outcome is highly debated. Critics argue that the baby was kept by the couple ( Renner ) and others claim the baby was aborted.( Fletcher ) Others have even simplified the story, claiming that the issue was not resolved because the couple was drunk by the end of the story. ( Sipiora ) Although the conclusion is in questions many have agreed with the idea that the couples relationship would be changed and would end prematurely. ( Wyche ) Dialogue is the main technique in conveying this argument but we can only understand the complexity of Hemingway’s work by looking at the story as a whole. By looking at the many symbols, intrinsically and
The communication going on between the man and girl in the story, "Hills Like White Elephants,'; are not an honest one. The man seems to lead the conversation where as the girl is quiet. He brings up the subject of 'operation' which suggested abortion, but never mentions the word 'abortion' in the story to understate it. He tries to convince the girl to get the operation, but the girl seems bothered by this subject. However, he does not stop. Their relationship seems to be fine when the baby has not came in between them. We could see this where the guy says, "We'll be fine afterward. Just like we were before.'; The girl wants the relationship to become as before, but is in a huge dilemma whether to give birth to the baby or not. The man does not want the baby and has the choice of abortion in mind, not thinking of the other problems that would occur through operation such as the girl's health. Later on, the girl makes a melancholy remark that the hills look like white elephants. Probably the hills being a round shape reminded her of the baby. She walks toward the end of the station, and sees the beautiful nature. When she looks more toward the nature, one could see her small desire wanting the baby and thinks what may have been happened if she had the baby. The guy does not pay attention to that remark, because he is just concerned about making his point that he wants the operation done, not considering her side.
The basic plot of the short story “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, is about a couple in between stops on their journey through Spain for an unsaid purpose. The only hint to their purpose is that they are on their way to have an “operation” done for the female protagonist. Hemingway has a careful and precise way of writing (Allen 142). This specific story that he wrote is “deceptive with its simplicity” (Bloom 1). The word “operation” actually means “abortion” which gives this story a darker meaning. However, there is nothing in the story that signifies the morality of abortions. It is about the personal struggle between both characters and their relationship. The couple and main characters of the story are a man and a girl.
In Ernest Hemingway’s Hills like White Elephants we follow a couple’s conversation as they wait for a train. The majority of their dialogues evolve around abortion. He perfunctorily tries to convince her to abort the child while she reluctantly tries to please him. As the story goes along the female protagonist continually consumes alcohol, although she is presumed pregnant. I claim that her volition to keep this baby strongly can be argued, since it is common knowledge alcohol can harm an unborn child. We will try to find the source to why she is so ignominious to her actions. First and foremost, the girl is the one who initiates the drinking, “let´s drink beer”(106), suggesting a carefree attitude. Her male companion quickly responds to her request. Barley a moment after the beer has arrived, the girl finds a new drink, Anis del Toro. “Could we try it?” (106) Why could she not? Her actions are a footloose woman´s, there is no second thought to whether she should, or should not intake alcohol. At one point she gets upset and he offers her another drink, “all right” (107) is her quick response. The American also consumes alcohol, but his actions are of no significance. However, he never objects to whether her behavior is appropriate or not, which suggests that the child´s health is of no interest to him. Consequently we see that her treatment of the child is vindictive.
The American in “Hills like White Elephants” is constantly saying how simple of a procedure it is when in actuality he has no knowledge of abortions. He goes on to say that “she doesn’t have to be afraid because he knows lots of people that have done it (Hemingway 476) The taking of a life no matter how it is done is never as simple as saying other people have done it so don’t be scared. Even though the American says he just wants her to be happy. It is clear that the most important thing is not her safety or happiness but him being able to live his care free lifestyle burden free (Wyche). He is constantly pushing the conversation even when she ask him to stop. For him the thought of death is an escape from his responsibilities. Her indecisiveness is hindering his plans to travel and he says if she does have an abortion then he will be happy again and then she will be happy too. He is so simple minded and egotistical that he tells her what she needs to do to be happy and that that’s the only way. At this point the American has indirectly said I cannot love you and be happy if we have a child, but if she has this procedure then everything will be back to normal. In “A Clean, Well-lighted Place” the protagonist the young waiter has a similar outlook but in a different situation. The waiter is constantly saying that “he wishes the old man had just killed
‘Hills Like White Elephants’ is a short story authored by Ernest Hemingway about an American and a girl named Jig. In the story, the two are sitting in a train station waiting for the train to Madrid. While they wait, they have an intense ongoing debate on whether or not to abort Jig. At the end of the story, the train is about to arrive and the man carries luggage on the tracks as they prepare to leave. The end of the story does not clearly define the outcome of its decision. She said I feel good at the end of the story - happiness is a central theme of the story, but we wonder if she went through with the operation. The paper discusses the manner in which symbolism has been employed in the story to communicate about an abortion, the couple is considering to go through.
In the short story, “The Story of an Hour,” author Kate Chopin presents the character of Mrs. Louis Mallard. She is an unhappy woman trapped in her discontented marriage. Unable to assert herself or extricate herself from the relationship, she endures it. The news of the presumed death of her husband comes as a great relief to her, and for a brief moment she experiences the joys of a liberated life from the repressed relationship with her husband. The relief, however, is short lived. The shock of seeing him alive is too much for her bear and she dies. The meaning of life and death take on opposite meaning for Mrs. Mallard in her marriage because she lacked the courage to stand up for herself.
Growing up and releasing youth meant to many the loss of freedom, and in place a load of responsibility. The fear of growing up and responsibilities interfered with the relationships of many. In Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway show cased the grasp many had on holding on to their glory days. In the story a couple discusses whether or not the woman should go through with a so called “procedure’, that is implied as an abortion. “‘We could have everything’/ ‘we can have everything’ [...] ‘We can go anywhere [...] it’s ours’” (Hemingway). The man is advocating for the procedure, so the couple can continue trying new drinks and exploring new places. Starting a family threatened the man’s carefree lifestyle. Having a child would force him to let go of his youth and succumb to a more mature position in
In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” the character Jig is submissive to her counterpart The American Man, who is encouraging her to have an abortion. While Jig is not sure what she wants, she does not wish to press the subject of the operation because The American Man is intent upon persuading her to go through with the procedure. Throughout this story Jig’s helplessness, indecisiveness, and her lack of education become apparent, although by the end of the story she becomes confident, decisive, and ultimately takes back control of her decisions and life.
The protagonist in the short story, "Hills Like White Elephants" is named "Jig" by her boyfriend, however, Hemingway refers to her as "the girl" through out the short story. Jig is portrayed as a young women stuggling with the decision of whether to get an abortion or not. "She is the man’s superior in imagination, sensitivity, and capacity for love" stated critic Kenneth G. Johnston (Hills Like White Elephants). Alcohol is Jig's on going motivation. Ironically enough, the story started with the characters drinking in a train station. As shown in her statement, "I wanted to try this new drink. That's all we do isn't it? Look at things and try new drinks"(Hemingway) which suggests that their life consi...
In the story, the American and the girl are waiting at a train station and drink large glasses of beer at the beginning. The beer is put on felt pads. Felt represents the comforting barrier the alcohol provides them between the truth, the table. This may be because they are trying to forget something that they do not want to think about. The barren setting is because of the deadly and drastic situation the couple are in. The girl looks at the hills, saying they look like white elephants. This is referring to something that is big and important but is not being seen because it is white. The man says he has never seen one, showing that he denies that it exists. White also represents innocence, so the baby is innocent. The man does not see this baby as white, and innocent person, but only as an elephant, something that would require time and energy to maintain. The girl says that the man would not have seen this white elephant. This is implying that the girl thinks that the man does not really care about the baby or any type of innocence. The man did not see the innocence when he impregnated her, and does not now when he wants to kill the baby. The man says he might h...
In the short story by Ernest Hemingway, "Hills Like White Elephants," a couple is delayed at a train station en route to Madrid and is observed in conflict over the girl's impending abortion. In his writing, Hemingway does not offer any commentary through a specific character's point of view, nor, in the storytelling, does he offer his explicit opinions on how to feel or think about the issues that emerge. The narrative seems to be purely objective, somewhat like a newspaper or journal article, and in true Hemingway form the story ends abruptly, without the couple's conflict clearly being resolved. The ambiguity of the ending has been a subject of much debate; however, the impact of what is not said in words can be gleaned through the symbolism of their surroundings. Upon examination of the setting, the couple's final choice becomes instantly apparent.
“The Story of an Hour” was a story set in a time dominated by men. During this time women were dependent on men, but they always dreamed of freedom. Most people still think that men should be dominant and in control. They think that without men, women can’t do anything and that they can’t be happy. Well this story has a twist.
Kate Chopin, author of “The Story of an Hour” written in 1894 was the first author who emphasized strongly on femininity in her work. In the short story, Chopin writes about freedom and confinement Chopin is an atypical author who confronts feminist matter years before it was assumed. The time period that she wrote in women were advertised as a man’s property. The main idea in the short story is to illustrate that marriage confines women. In “The Story of an Hour” the author creates an intricate argument about freedom and confinement Mrs. Louise Mallard longing for freedom, but has been confined for so long freedom seems terrible. Mrs. Mallard wife of Brently Mallard instantly feels free when her husband dies. The reason she feels this way