Use Of Euphemism In Ernest Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants

In the short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway uses dialogue, euphemism, and symbolism to characterize his two main characters, the woman and the man.

Hemingway uses dialogue to characterize the couple as youthful. The dialogue between the man and the woman starts out pleasantly as the two discuss what to drink as they wait for a train to Madrid. The conversation quickly turns tense as the couple skirts around the elephant in the room: the woman’s impending “operation.” Since elderly characters are usual portrayed as more patient in literature, it can be inferred that the couple’s disposition became so prickly so fast because of their young age.

Hemingway also uses euphemism to characterize the man and woman as skittish and

inexperienced. The man refers to what can be assumed is the woman’s rapidly approaching abortion as an “awfully simple operation.” This euphemism is used to try to comfort the young woman. Although it failed to achieve its original goal, it does help to characterize the youthful couple. Since the couple is young, it is likely that this is the couple’s first pregnancy scare, therefore making them feel nervous and out of their comfort zone.