How does Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” explore the theme of perception and the ways different people view the same situation?
Author: MARTIN MUNYAO MUINDE
Email: Ephantusmartin@gmail.com
Direct Answer
In “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway examines the theme of perception by illustrating how two individuals—the American man and Jig—interpret the same situation from entirely different emotional and psychological perspectives. While the man views their discussion about abortion as a rational and simple solution to preserve their carefree lifestyle, Jig perceives it as a deeply moral and emotional decision that could alter her sense of self and their relationship. Hemingway’s minimalist dialogue exposes how perception is shaped by personal values, emotional needs, and social context (Benson, 1989). Through this contrast, the story reveals that human perception is subjective—what appears simple to one person can feel devastatingly complex to another. Hemingway ultimately suggests that understanding in relationships depends not on shared words, but on empathy and the ability to see beyond one’s own perspective.
Introduction: Perception and Emotional Duality in Hemingway’s Fiction
Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” (1927) stands as a masterclass in narrative subtlety, built on the premise that what remains unsaid often carries the deepest meaning. Set at a train station in Spain, the story follows an American man and his companion, Jig, as they wait for a train and discuss an unnamed operation—commonly interpreted as an abortion. Hemingway’s minimalist technique, known as the “iceberg theory,” allows the conversation’s surface simplicity to conceal a deep emotional and psychological divide (Hemingway, 1927; Benson, 1989).
The story’s brilliance lies in its portrayal of perception: two people confronting the same circumstance yet seeing entirely different realities. Hemingway’s sparse dialogue and symbolic imagery convey the idea that human perception is filtered through emotion, desire, and fear. While the American perceives the situation pragmatically, Jig’s perception is shaped by emotional depth, uncertainty, and the longing for meaning. Through this conflict, Hemingway exposes the fragility of communication and the isolation that occurs when perceptions clash.
The Concept of Perception in “Hills Like White Elephants”
1. Perception as a Product of Experience and Emotion
Perception in Hemingway’s story functions as more than a cognitive process—it reflects each character’s emotional and experiential worldview. The American man’s perception is shaped by his cultural values, gender, and desire for control. He sees the abortion as a minor inconvenience that will restore their former freedom: “It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig” (Hemingway, 1927). His language minimizes the emotional impact, showing that he perceives the issue through the lens of practicality rather than empathy.
Jig’s perception, however, emerges from emotional intuition. She associates the decision with moral consequence and personal transformation. Her description of the hills as “white elephants” symbolizes both burden and beauty—an image of something simultaneously unwanted and precious (Short, 1991). This dual perception underscores her ambivalence: while she fears loss, she also senses that the life within her represents something meaningful. Hemingway’s contrasting character perceptions thus reveal that emotion fundamentally shapes how people interpret shared experiences.
2. The Role of Gender in Shaping Perception
Gender differences play a pivotal role in defining how the man and Jig perceive their situation. Literary critics such as Lisa Tyler (2001) argue that Hemingway exposes the gendered imbalance in communication—where male rationality dominates female emotional expression. The American’s detached pragmatism reflects patriarchal ideals of control and autonomy, while Jig’s emotional sensitivity reflects the social and biological complexities of womanhood.
Their differing perceptions are not merely personal but cultural. The man, as a Western male figure, views freedom as independence from obligation; Jig perceives freedom as emotional security and relational connection. Their inability to reconcile these worldviews mirrors broader societal tensions regarding gender roles and reproductive rights in the early twentieth century. Thus, Hemingway transforms a private conflict into a universal exploration of how social conditioning