Xi Gao

Mr. Gallagher

AP Literature

Hills like White Elephants

The hills across the valley of Ebro were round and white. It stood solitary and went for miles
Comment [71]: In “Miss Emily” by
and miles, far past the human eye. On one side of the hills was an old station, old and rusty.
William Faulkner, he often used
Without trees, without shade, the station was placed in the middle of two rails. Close against the metaphors to describe characters and
make comparisons. Using this technique I
side of the station was the dark shadow of the building and a curtain, made of strings of bamboo
used the setting to describe how unfitting
beads hung across the open door into the bar, to keep out flies. The liveliness within the bar the American and the young looked
together.
crowded with people and the recently built polished wood made the station looked older than its
Comment [72]: Throughout the story, I
actual age. The two building together resembled an unfit couple. The aged station robbed the bar
used hinting words like “free” to

of its quality, appearance, and liveliness. foreshadow the freedom that the
American really wants. I’ve noticed this
It was extremely hot under the burning sun. It was a forty minute wait for the next train from
technique in “Miss Emily” when he used

Barcelona to the free city of Madrid. words to foreshadow the killings in that
story.
Under the little shade that the station provided, sat an American gentleman and his young
Comment [73]: The descriptions of his
companion. The American man sat in an upright position, back firmly against his chair and feet attitude and behavior implies the stubborn
attitude that the man possesses. The man
planted on the ground. An earthquake could not have moved him. The American’s blue eyes and
has a rigid mindset based on his own
rigged jawbone presented an aura of strength and self-confidence when he spoke to his interpretation of happiness, unwilling to
care for the girl or baby. Similar to "Miss
companion.
Emily," although Faulkner never states
She, on the other hand, whose feet barely reached the ground and kicking in the air, spoke that she is stubborn, her need to stay in
the house and need to keep the man she
with uncertainty as if she lacked the experience her older companion had.
loves translates into stubborness.
“What should we drink?” the girl asked while staring at the American. She had taken off her
Comment [74]: Emphasizes her
hat and put it on the table, revealing her rosy cheeks which seem to glow in the darkening shade. youthfulness and lack of experience
compared to the older man which hints at
“It’s pretty hot,” the man commented with a craving for a glass of ice cold beer.
why she does not know what she wants in
“Let’s drink beer!” shouted the girl like a little girl screaming for attention. life including keeping the baby or not.

“Dos cervezas,” the man ordered into the curtain seconds without a single glance at the girl Comment [75]: Reflects upon the status
of the relationship. It highlights the man’s
since they have sat down.
lack of attention and care towards the girl.

A woman came out carrying two big glasses of beer and two felt pads. She put the felt pads To him, she is just a tool for good times,
nothing serious. Compared to him, the
and the beer glass on the table but resisted to leave. Her hands lingered playfully along the man’s
girl is just an innocent girl, not knowing

side as he gave her a wink and smile. Ignoring the scene, the girl’s attention was caught by the what she wants.
bleach white hills surrounded by ugly brown, dry and barren country side.

“They look like white elephants,” the girl remarked, thinking it was the most special thing
Comment [76]: Since the hills represent
she had seen.
the baby, I hinted it through certain

“I’ve never seen one,” the man replied nonchalantly, almost as if he did not care. He was phrases and characterizations such as this
one. This phrase is something mothers
busy enjoying the coldness of his beer.
think of their newborn child as. Moreover,

The girl turned her head towards the American. At the same time, her awe towards the in the beginning I hinted that the hills
were "round and white" comparing it to
mountains had turned into anger. “No, you wouldn’t have.”
the belly of a pregnant lady.

The man drank the last of his beer, and placed his glass back at the table. Looking back at the Comment [77]: Emphasizing his

girl with a mischievous smile, he leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and replied, “I might carelessness towards her and the
pregnancy issue.
have. Just because you say I wouldn’t have doesn’t prove anything.” His eyes looked down upon
Comment [78]: There is a tone of
the girl as if stating he had won the argument. resentment and unease in the story. She
shows resentment because of the way he
Unwilling to give in, she looked at the beaded curtains.
treats her and the unease of having an
“They’ve painted something on it,” she said. “What does it say?” abortion.

“Anis del Toro,” the man said with a grin as if he had the answers to everything. “It’s a Comment [79]: Through facial
expressions and gestures, I tried to create
drink.”
the unease and tensions that exists just
“Could we try it?” like Faulker does through his
descriptions.
The man called, “Listen” through the curtain and ordered two Anid del Toro.

Asked if she had wanted water with the drink, the girl was confused. She did not know

whether she had wanted it with water or not. Was it better with water? Would she like it? She had
Comment [710]: Highlights the lack of
to ask the American for guidance.
experience the girl had. She does not

“It tastes like liquorice,” the girl said and put the glass down. know what she wants, thus develops a
dependence on the American.
“That’s the way with everything.”

“Yes,’ said the girl. “Everything tastes of liquorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited so

long for, like absinthe.’ She said the last part softly as if there was a sense of longing and regret in

her voice.
Comment [711]: Unlike Hemingway
“Oh cut it out,” the American said with an annoyed tone, wanting to avoid this conversation.
who is known for his short and distinct

“Alright, I was trying to have a fine time like you wanted. I said the mountains looked like dialogues, Faulkner adds description to
them to add more meaning and tone.
white elephants. Wasn’t that bright?”

“That was bright.”

“They’re lovely hills,’ she said. They don’t really look like white elephants. I just meant the
colouring of their skin through the trees.”

“Wanting to talk about anything but the mountains, the American ordered two more drinks
Comment [712]: Shows the girl’s
without taking the initiative to ask the girl whether she wanted one or not.
struggle for power. She does not really

“The beer’s nice and cool.” The man said. have a say whether it is in ordering drinks
or serious matters like keeping a baby.
“It’s lovely,” the girl replied.

“It’s really an awfully simple operation, the man said.

Comment [713]: The repetition of the
“It’s really not an operation at all.”
man’s words show how manipulative the

“They just let the air in and then it’s all perfectly natural. I know a lot of people who have man is.

done it.”

Throughout the time the man spoke, the girl barely moved. She moved her lips, wanting to

speak but hesitated and couldn’t. Finally she put out her hand and took hold of two of the strings
Comment [714]: Her actions with two
of beads as if she was holding on for support, not ready to let go.
strings of beads symbolize her longing to

“And you think then we’ll be alright and happy.” be with the baby.

“I know we will. It’s the only thing that’s made us unhappy. We can have everything.”

“No, we can’t.” the girl defied.

“We can have the whole world, the American said through his imaginative and convincing
Comment [715]: Highlights how he
tone as if speaking to a child.
takes the matter lightly. He tries to

“No, we can’t. It isn’t ours any more.” convince her through these lies as if a
father was convincing a little girl to do
something that is not possible.
Emphasizes difference in age.

Comment [716]: This is a turning point

in the girl. Unlike the girl who did not
know what she wanted, screamed for the
man’s attention, and acted bubbly, her
opposing view shows that she is maturing.
She realizes the seriousness of losing a
baby forever however he tries to pass if
off as if they will be invincible without it.