The Importance Of Setting In "Hills Like White Elephants"

The setting in Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants," is quite significant to the theme of the short story. Hemingway's choice of setting was very thoughtfully selected. The story takes place at a train junction in the valley of Ebro, Spain. The fact that the couple are at a junction, a place where one must choose the right path to follow, alone represents that a crucial decision will be made. The decision that must be made is whether or not the girl will have the abortion. On one side of the tracks there were long white hills. There was no shade and no trees. On the other side there was a grain field, trees, and a river. One side of the tracks was a barren dried up land the other quite lush. The hills represent the barren, lifeless relationship that the American and the girl have. The girl says that all they do anymore is "look at things and try new drinks". When the girl goes to the other side of the station she looks at all of the trees and wheat field and says, "And we could of had all of this" meaning that her relationship with the American could of been full of life also, not barren like the hills. In this short story the setting leads to the theme by symbolism. The barren, white hills were a symbol for the dead relationship between the American and the girl. This leads to the theme. The theme of the story is about problems that modern couples face such as a lack of communication and breakdown of love in a relationship.