The Hidden Hills In the past century, women have started to stand up for themselves and do what they want regarding their body. Men previously have made all the important decisions, controlled women, and really only saw them as objects or entertainment. Slowly but surely, however, women gained their power and voiced their opinions for what they wanted. This can be seen in Jig’s character in Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants.” Even though it is not said directly, it is still easy for the audience to understand that what Jig and her boyfriend are talking about is a woman’s matter. In “Hills Like White Elephants,” Hemingway does not reveal the underlying meaning, but rather uses symbolism in his story through Jig’s attitude towards her boyfriend, the station in which the couple is at, and the absinthe drink she tries. Jig has an attitude about her that makes seem childish. She repeats her words as if she were a young child would when they want something they cannot have. She makes it seem like she always has to get her way. Upon first glance it would not be easy to figure out why she acts like this, but it is actually quite simple to understand why her behavior and tone are like this. Jig does …show more content…
(Hemingway 475). When Jig initially tells her thoughts on what the hills remind her of, she is indirectly telling her boyfriend what she is thinking. She, of course, would relate to the hills more than her boyfriend would because they remind her of a pregnant stomach. They boyfriend shows his self-centeredness by his reply. He does not think of the hills in the same way in which Jig does, all he sees are hills that look dry and bland, indirectly showing what he wants. Jig’s reply of, “No, you wouldn’t have” conveys her feelings of being alone to deal with the problem by