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In Ernest Hemingway's story "Hills Like White Elephants" an American couple is sitting at a table in a train station in Spain. They are discussing beer, travel, and whether or not to have an abortion. The train station and its surroundings are symbolic in this s ....

Middle of Essay
.... side of the station is dry and barren of plantlife. The ground looks as if there has been no rain for quite some time. There are hills in the distance that have a whitish color as the sun radiates on them. The woman said, "They look like white elephants."(343) White elephants are known to symbolize unexpected gifts, which is certainly what the baby would be should they choose not to have the abortion. The barrenness of the land refers the tame life-- settling down and having the responsibilities of parenthood--that they would have to start living when the baby came; a life that would be duller but would have a purpose. The bead curtain represents ....