In breaking down the two short stories “Hills like White Elephants” and “A Clean, Well- Lighted Place” written by Ernest Hemingway I hope to have hit all points while comparing and contrasting of each. Hemingway used more dialogue with less key points and scenery in his writing explaining his style of writing. Symbolizing the setting while hitting all five elements of plot.
In the short story “Hills like White Elephants” a man and a girl discussed a difficult topic, that doesn’t have a conclusion on what they will decide. The short story occurred at a train station near a river in the North of Spain, dividing two cities, indicating the crossroads in the two characters relationship. In depth, the reader can analysis that the girl is indecisive about something that could possibly be harmful to their relationship, whereas, the man further explains that it is a simple operation. “It’s really an awfully simple operation Jig, they just let the air in and then it’s all perfectly natural,” the man said. It is not known to the reader as to what the simple operation is and why it is needed, while on the other hand the girl wants to do whatever it takes to bring happiness back into their relationship.
Ernest uses small scenery to symbolize how the girl is feeling about the topic. As she moves to cross the other side to view the fields of grains she states that they can have everything, but once “it” is taken it likes the “white elephants”. In further grouping of knowledge, white elephants indicate a possession that is expensive to maintain, useless, and difficult to dispose of; meaning that the decision they make could be easily confirmed but is difficult to uphold.A Clean, Well- Lighted Plac invites readers in a café after dark with a deaf old man and two waiters, one ready to go home while the other is being reasonable with the over stayed welcome customer. In this story Hemingway brings a connection between the two characters; the old man and the older waiter.
“You have youth, confidence, and a job,” the older waiter said. In this statement readers learn the diversion of the two waiters. The connection that the older waiter has to the old deaf man is said ” I am of those who like to stay late at the café”. Here makes the understanding that the older waiter holds sympathy for the older man and doesn’t mind him staying late. The older waiter and the younger waiter discuss the likes and dislike of cafe/ bars. The older waiter feel that bars are two crowded, hard persona, loud, and bright.
While the younger waiter feels that café is to slow and quit, people would just want to sit around past close time and hold up his time to getting home.In both short storied the author wants readers to dig into the dialogue and get in the setting of the short story so one can understand the reading. This style type used in this short story is less storytelling, which allows Hemingway to use dialogue to reverse the tightness between his characters. In the story “Hill like White Elephants” Ernest makes the reader look deeper into the context in order for one to understand the true argument. As well with “A Clean, Well- Lighted Place the discussion between the two waiters, Hemingway gives part of the scenery. Meanwhile, still wants the reader to focus on the despair similarities dealing with the old man and the older waiter. Ernest’s style of writing avoids usage of excessive dialogue and description of the settings, leaving it up to the readers to interpret how the characters feel.
In Hills like White Elephants” the discussion about the hills, the excessive drinks and the unidentifiable decision is a deeper analyzed topic. As wells as the story “A Clean, Well- Lighted Place” the discussion about the attempt suicide of the old man, the connection that the old man and the older waiter shares, and a different outlook on life. These two stories both have a deeper outline than what is given. Both stories are symbolic in their own way. However, they both contain the main characters drinking and sharing the problems of being a male mourning. One dealing with decision of being fruitful or risking it all for happiness, as for the other releasing it all a quiet setting outside of your norm.
While not being disturbed by loudness.In each short stories the plot differs but, in its theme, it allows readers to understand each character life through different perspectives.
