EssayAbout

Hills Like White Elephant

Abortion is the ending of pregnancy by removing fetus or

embryo before it can survive outside the uterus. Nowadays, after
allowed by law, abortion is safe with modern methods using
medication or surgery. When performed legally and safe, abortion
does not decrease the risk of long-term mental or physical
problems. In contrast, unsafe abortions cause 47.000 deaths and 5
million hospital admission each year.

As we know, Hills Like White Elephants is a story about a

couple the American man and Jig who are waiting for the train to
continue their travel to Madrid. From the story, we know the
theme of that story is different perspective in seeing abortion. The
American man said that abortion is just like to let the air in, while
Jig on the other side knew that it is not as simple as flipping a
hand. It is about a babys life and a part of her.

There is no physical description about the American man. I

can only guess from the word man that his age was about 28-40
years old. Judging from how he travels just to see and try new
things, I think he was a rich man. Or maybe he came from rich
family that had lots properties and legacies so he didnt need
tohave an occupation to traveling wherever he liked.

From the dialogues, the writer describes the character of the

American man which is a hypocrite man judging from how he
kept telling Jig that its okay if Jig doesnt want to do the abortion
, but then he brought up again about the abortion by saying that it
is just to let the air in. I also think that he is a selfish man because
he seems doesnt care about everything but himself and travelling.

There is also no physical description about Jig in the story. I

can only guess from the word girl that she was about 15-22
years old. Maybe she was pretty because she was still young. The
writer describes her character from the way she is arguing with
the man. I can tell that she was a smart and brave girl. Maybe
thats why the American man wanted to be accompanied by her.
Men usually like smart-mouthed woman and a little bit rebellion
around him. And maybe,the way she has the same taste as the
man also one of the factors too.

We may think that Jig was not that smart judging from how
she got pregnant. But come to think of this, maybe Jig was from
lower middle class family and all she ever wanted was travel
around the world and try new things. I think she was quite smart
to find a man whos rich and had the same goal as her. About that
pregnant thing, I think it was unintended because anything could
just happen.

As the story was written in 1927, I guess the setting of tine

of the story was about 1920s after WWI before the Great
Depression (The Great Depression (1929-39) was the deepest
and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the
Western industrialized world. In the United States, the Great
Depression began soon after the stock market crash of October
1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions
of investors). I can tell that by how the American man seems to
possess wealth, travel to many places look things and try new
things, and had a life of leisure. And the story took place between
Barcelona and Madrid. The writer doesnt give a name of a
certain place. But from the line Across, on the other side, were
fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro, I can imply
that the story took place near the Ebro River. The Ebro River
flows through many cities in Spain. But the writer gives us a hint
that the story took place between Barcelona and Madrid, so the
only city between Barcelona and Madrid that being flowed
through by the Ebro River is Zaragoza city. So the story took
place in Zaragoza.

After knowing that the story happened in 1920s, I imply the

abortion that the American man told Jig to do was illegal, because
abortion was not available in Spain in 1920s. It is illegal until
1985. The word illegal means that the abortion is unsafe and
can cause death. Seeing that the couple was heading to Madrid,
theytravel to Madrid for an illegal abortion because the capital
offered a better chance of locating one.

In the story, the American man said that abortion is just like
to let the air in. I think the American man really represents the
men around the world. Not by the perspective in seeing abortion,
but by how they think and see things. According to research, men
only focus on exact issues and tend to disregard many things.
Men only think practically way without understand or care the
impact of doing something. See, I think the American man really
represent man around the world. While Jig, with her complex and
deep thoughts really represents women on this earth. Because
according to research, women are usually more comprehensive in
thinking and have more wholesome view of thinking and
understanding. From this, we can see that the writer also give us
some examples about how different men and women see things.

After we read how they were quarreling and how hypocrite

the American man was, I conclude that he didnt love Jig, or
anyone and everything. Because abortion is not just about kill a
baby but also kill a part of Jig. And dont forget about the health
effects of illegal abortion such as infection, excessive bleeding,
embolism, complication, even death. If he loved her, he wouldnt
want that such of thing happen to Jig. But if Jig still had to do
that, she had no choice. Even though she wanted to keep the baby,
she couldnt do that due to her dream to see and try new things.
Besides, she also couldnt raise the baby alone if the American
man left her.

So, to all girls around the world, you have to be careful to

live in this cruel world. This world is so dangerous to sweet
creatures like you. You have to think twice before you do things,
especially things that have to do with men. Respect yourselves so
others will also respect you. If you attempt to do bad things, just
remember your parents. And for boys, guys, men please be more
responsible with all things you have done. Treat your girl better.
Just see them as you see your mother. Respect them. So the world
would be more peaceful.