Characterization – Hills like White Elephants

Characterization – Hills Like White Elephants

Characterization of The Amercian

The main character is The American. The American is a US citizen and adventurous man, which loves to travel and try new things. We see that in p 100, 19-20 “….There were labels on them from all the hotels where they had spent nights. The American is a rich man, because the story is writing in 1927. In that period it was only the rich who could afford to travel.

The American is older than the girl in this story. This comes out when the narrator refers Jig as the girl. See p 96, 19-2 “…looked at the man and the girl.

The American is a manipulative man. He is trying to convince Jig that the operation is the best thing to do. We see that on p 98, 1-5. “It´s really an awfully simple operation, Jig…...It´s just to let the air in” + p 98, 21-26 “If you don´t want to you don´t have to…...I think it´s the best thing to do…”

Characterization of the girl/Jig.

Jig is younger than The American. This comes out when the narrator refers Jig as the girl. See p 96, 19-2 “…looked at the man and the girl. Jig is a naïve person, because she wants to please him. We see that on p 97, 21 “Alright, I said…..bright?” Jig seems unsure about the situation/operation. Where The American have taken the decision. We see that on p 98, 3-4 “The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on. I know you wouldn´t mind it Jig….”

It comes out later in the story, that she is having enough of him. It´s clearly shown, two times in the text. P 100, 15-17 “I´d anything for you….Would you please please...please stop talking”. Moreover, on p 100, 21-23 “I don´t care anything about it….I´ll scream” The girl said.

The theme

The general theme of the story is abortion and relationship. However, mostly relationship because we hear a lot of dialog between The American and the girl.