Character and Conflict Hills Like White Elephants
...pregnancy. The man discloses that he doesn’t want to have a child, but he reveals this in a mild manner. He chooses his words to his advantage and almost deceitfully, when trying to convince the girl that an abortion is an easy surgery by saying, “It’s not really an operation at all.” This remark reveals how desperate he is to make the decision for the girl. The man further complicates the discussion by contradicting himself. After each time he reassures the girl that he wants what she wants, he spends at least one breath identifying exactly what he wants. For example, he says “You’ve got to realize…that I don’t want you to do it if you don’t want to. I’m perfectly willing to go through with it if it means anything to you.” His comment sounds as if his only wish is for her to do what she wants. But when she asks if it means anything to him, he immediately responds, “Of course it does. But I don’t want anybody but you. I don’t want anyone else. And I know it’s perfectly simple.” Clearly he is willing to say whatever he thinks she wants to hear, but he never stops talking about abortion. His insincerity is obvious to the girl and to the reader. Drinking is a part of the man’s lifestyle and upon entering the bar the man orders a pair of alcoholic drinks for the couple, then another. The girl later comments that their relationship, seems to revolve around looking at things and trying new drinks. After a few weak attempts to convince the man to consider having the baby, she implores him to “[P]lease please please please please please please stop talking.” The girl’s weak and dependant nature prevents her from verbally expressing her point of view. Rather than expressing herself in a way what may be t...