Writing Prompts and Rhetorical Situations: “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway Rhetorical analysis

In the short story “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway’s enables the reader to operate through a demanding scenario and with the characters without depicting a particular stand on the aspect. In this thematic genre, it is attained by the use of many literary features. Simultaneously, the author does not explicitly inform the reader how to feel, how the character chooses to behave, or what is occurring. This leaves an opportunity and personal evaluation; much like the topic on motion, abortion is the most frequently preferred to be left for individual thought. In other words, by not providing directness to the novel, Hemingway motivated the readers to the reason for themselves regardless of the characters’ were straining with their capability to act similarly. Hemingway was capable of arguing and facilitate further argument on the topic of abortion via the utilization of elements of symbolism, characterization, and setting throughout “Hills Like White Elephants.”

In his short story, Hemingway grounds its argument on the polemic issue of young couples and abortion. Using the three literal components, the term “abortion,” which is not found in the story, can be known. The tense atmosphere from the starting paragraph is introduced by setting a specific plot that rotates the whole information (Hemingway 50). In Spain, the action is set to happen in the late 1920s. The short elaboration helps the reader to understand the stand of the issue. This is achieved via the usage of many literary elements. Further, the reader is not directly informed of the incidence occurring. It forms an opportunity for individual interpretation and assessment of similar to the main topic in the story, abortion, is frequently the most left for personal reflection.

The setting is the first literary element that Hemingway utilizes to depict the cultural concern of abortion in the short story. The reader immediately is informed that the characters are sitting at the station of the train and that “the station occurred between two rails.” Hemingway highlights out that this is a meeting point. By utilizing the train station, he enables the reader to view the setting as a place that would stand for a change or movement (Hemingway 312). People usually make preferences in life that also stand change and can identify the setting as a location that would show that this is occurring. Further, the scene elaborates that the preferences were widely not the same and that moving to either end of the station would engage the characters into a whole different world. This was depicted as the girl appeared and saw that “across, on other areas, were regions of trees and grain along the Ebro bank, beyond the river and far away, were mountains” (312). This indicates that no matter where the characters view, they can observe something not similar, much like whatever option they form will send them on a path that is not the same.  There is a lack of opportunities for sitting or not deciding. They can easily not put in a train station, and they cannot neglect to form a decision pertaining to the unborn child. As a setting, the station of the train indicates that some decision must be arrived for life to keep continuing.

Additionally, the setting in the novel as a literary element explained that the preferences were broadly not the same and that shifting to either terminal of the station would make the characters into a whole different world. This was shown as the girl’s view and observed that “across, on a different part. This indicates how there is the use of different pathos and ethos to prove his argument during the analysis of the short story—some elements for this novel display that some options need to be made for some action to happen. Further, in coming up with the topic of abortion, Hemingway has utilized characterization as a literal component to persuade her/his audience. Hemingway can show all his ways of the controversy and discover how individuals may come to change their perspective provided with personal involvement. Hemingway can show different viewpoints from different cultures regarding abortion, where he considers “the American girl” as a feminine character (Hemingway 120).  He does this to allow the customers to choose the correct decision in society. In analyzing the thematic genre further, Hemingway uses the male character as being low age and limelight on drinking. The story makes use of different names as a way of creating its central theme in society. It emphasizes mostly on the reason why individuals usually engage in things such as drinking and abortion. These are bad decisions that people opt for in the community. Some quotes have been included as a way of attracting to her/his audience.

Hemingway has vividly used characterization as a literal element to bring out abortion in society. The author can indicate both sides of the argument alongside exploring how a person may come to change their dimension provided with individual engagement. In addition, Hemingway can tell the different viewpoints from various cultures regarding abortion when he means a female character. It shows it could even be any girl with the western sight of the world and that the definite case was not as significant as was the conversation topic. Nevertheless, the male character is drawn by his aim of having “a time that is fine” (312), focus on drinking, and being young. This is applied in the short story to provide the reader with a place to base the blame for the decision being opted should they differ with the results. However, both characters pass through change all over the tale that as they each attempt to decide what the other needs and if they can typically go through with the action and “be happy and all right” (313). By enabling the characters to have an identifiable beginning point and go through suitable conversation that contributes to their last decision, the reader is provided with the opportunity to change.

The last literary component discussed in this thematic genre in relation to Hemingway’s address of abortion is symbolism. This element is applied firmly all over the story as it enables the reader to understand what is being argued rather than the author informing them directly. This gives the capability for the person to “view” the tale through their knowledge of the symbols and bars the author from having to opt for plain background on a divisive topic.  For instance, the initial logo that is brought to the attention of the reader is a curtain when the male character enquires for a drink (Hemingway 200). A curtain is a sign that the talk about abortion should be personal and that the option is simply between the parents of the child who are not born. It can also be viewed as an area to conceal if the argument is shameful and anti acceptance socially. The change was also symbolized as a way of persuading readers. The wind is frequently applied to indicate change. In literature, such symbols enable the reader to decide what that change implies to them.

Inconclusively, “Hills like White Elephants” by Hemingway argue about two persons in life at the crossroad. This crossroad will verify whether they are parents or try to go back to their ordinary life prior to the conception. As the characters go through this change, Hemingway applies the characterization, symbolism, and setting to enable readers to individually experience the debate and the characters. Each of the literary components stands for the desire of the author to present the topic without making a stand that is solid on either of the debate. The objective, then, appears to make the readers link with the characters in a manner that could not occur without applying the literary components.

Work Cited

Hemingway, Ernest. “Hills like white elephants.” Men without women (1927).