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Religion In Ernest Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants

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“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life” (Buddha). Throughout different time periods religion has impacted the society in which people live. Religion has and continues to dictate the rules citizens have to follow in all areas, especially social, educational, and political. Religion influences morals, values, and people’s identities. Many people turn to religion for not just spiritual answers, but for guidance and help in everyday life. Religion also affects the inner workings of a society. However, religion has evolved with time. In earlier societies, only one religion was usually allowed and accepted. In Salem Massachusetts during the Witch Trials, every citizen had to be seen as a good Christian. In this case, religion determined whether or not a person was good and trustworthy. Currently, all religions are accepted and many do not judge others based upon it. For …show more content…

In the story Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway, Jig turns to religion when making a life changing decision. Jig, a women, and an American man are at a Spanish train station while waiting for a train to Madrid. The women compares the hills nearby to white elephants, a symbol of overcoming obstacles and connected to fertility and knowledge. In document d, Jig is believed to be making a decision on whether to have an abortion or not. The women carries rosary beads, which can be a religious comfort for some. The text states, “The warm wind blew the bead curtain against the table” (Hemingway). In this quote the readers can see that the wind, or a spirit blew the rosary beads, a religious symbol, against the table or against the abortion. Jig looks toward religion for answers and for a sense of reassurance of what the correct decision would be. Jig, a Catholic women, is scared of going through with the procedure because it is against her religion, and would be

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