In this blog post I will be reading Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway. It is a story that was published in 1927, based on a man and a girl dealing with a difficult reality. The girl I believe is pregnant with their child, and she’s hesitant to make a major life choice. The man who impregnated her tries to have control and the final say in whether they keep the child. I will be answering two questions, first I will give my opinion on if I think Jig (the girl) stays in a relationship with the man. Then I will be discussing a time where I stayed in a bad relationship, that I eventually left after two years.
Does she stay in her relationship with the man? I don’t think Jig stayed with the man for multiple reasons. Jig was hesitant and had doubts in her head about the abortion, and never reached a final decision. As she looks out at the trees, rivers, and mountains she has a realization that her fairytale life isn’t going to happen especially with this man. She speaks about how the world is no longer theirs regardless of the choice they make. She has a love for him, but she understands that this has an effect either way. The man speaks multiple times about how it's Jig's choice and that he won't force anything upon her. Yet as we read the beginning of the story he begins getting alcoholic beverages again and again. The man's actions spoke louder than his words, especially when he kept repeating that "it's perfectly simple" which reveals his ignorant and horrible mindset. Yes, she could keep the child, but she would be simultaneously dealing with the repercussions. He doesn’t care to have this baby and so that leaves the man miserable in their relationship. It also ruins any chance of them experiencing all life has to offer, since the focus will be on the baby. If she aborts the child, the man will be happy with her, but she will not be happy entirely with herself. She knows that guilt will lay heavy on her heart as she gets older, whereas the man will forget about it and move on with or without her. At the end when he returns she repeats herself twice by stating she’s fine. If you must repeat something twice, I feel as though you aren’t confident in your response. I think Jig is trying to convince herself she’s fine or maybe even put on an act, but deep down inside she’s hurting deeply and I believe she realizes the kind of relationship they share and the “man” he truly is. I won't speak for ALL females, but I am a female and will gladly voice my experiences. I've known that saying all too often, "I'm fine" when in reality I'm the complete opposite. I can certainly attest to the fact that I'm not the only one who has clung to that statement in hard times. In the story, the writer refers to him as "the man" never once giving him a name. He reminds me almost like the boogeyman, who also has no name making him not as relatable and the source of fear and uncomfortableness. The boogeyman, just like the man frightens people into good behavior and I believe he was attempting to accomplish the same goal. He would use his manipulative, controlling ways to point the girl in a direction of his choosing. He never once asked her how she's feeling or what kind of decision she wanted to make. I feel as though he was telling her sweet nothings, only carrying one agenda in his mind. Whereas, Jig is given a name making readers connect with her and feel emotions such as sympathy for her. If they were to have stayed together, I feel as though the writer would have given a name to the antagonist of the story but he chose not to. The man is a monster that possesses negative qualities, and seeks to hurt and conquer. But just like the Boogeyman, the man has no specific appearance leaving us to weed out them all on our own. When have you made an important choice to stay in a relationship or leave a relationship -- OR -- stay or leave a difficult situation? "I knew he was an unstable and spiteful individual, but when I felt the overwhelming sensation of steaming hot water fresh off the stove top splash onto my thighs, I felt my jaw drop from the amount of disrespect and utter shock." I made an important decision to leave a relationship in the beginning of 2016. I was in a relationship for about two years and tolerated way more disrespect than one should. It was my first serious relationship, and I entered it blindly and stayed since it became comfortable. After about a year, I noticed changes in his behavior and the way he outwardly treated me. He began distancing himself and becoming more aggressive and angry towards me. Towards the end there were days where I realized it was becoming more volatile, like the day he put a hole through my wall over absolutely nothing. I watched him angrily throw his giant fist into my brown wall as my eyes watched the drywall crumble and fall into my bedsheets and leave an everlasting imprint. As time went on, I could see his compassion fade and his horns become spears. I made the decision to go our separate ways for good, knowing this relationship was very toxic and unhealthy for myself. I gave him an extra laptop of mine to borrow and use for his schooling, so he didn’t have to pay for one. When I went to his house seeking to get what’s rightfully mine back, he yelled and continuously sucked his teeth at me. I knew he was an unstable and spiteful individual, but when I felt the overwhelming sensation of steaming hot water fresh off the stove top splash onto my thighs, I felt my jaw drop from the amount of disrespect and utter shock. He happened to be cooking pasta and his anger provoked him to dump the entire bowl on me. I left that night knowing I was leaving no matter how hurt and confused I was at the time. I felt as though this brief story matters, because throughout life many females will experience unfulfilling, unhappy, and even abusive relationships whether they realize during or after. But what's most important is that we leave, no matter how attached we are or difficult it can be. When the smoke clears and you begin to reap the benefits, you will stop and wonder what took you so long but find comfort in your own pure bliss.
7 Comments
Majd
2/17/2018 07:03:27 pm
Hey Rebecca, I'm from the morning class... I Agree with you on Jig's decision, I thought he was trying to give her the illusion that she had a choice, but he was really trying to force the choice he already made.
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Rebecca Stevens
2/22/2018 11:35:16 am
Hi Majd! Thank you for visiting my blog page :-)
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Sabatino
2/20/2018 09:25:57 am
Your argumentative response provides a clear position and persuasive support for your claim. I appreciate how you pint out the man isn't named and your "boogeyman" rationale behind Hemingway's choice. This part stood out to me as well:
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Hi Rebecca, Im Ella from the morning class (9:30-11:00am)
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Rebecca Stevens
2/22/2018 11:30:51 am
Hi Ella! Thank you very much for the kind words and visiting my blog! :-)
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Katy Geary
2/22/2018 05:27:02 am
Hi Rebecca,
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Rebecca Stevens
4/2/2018 03:38:41 pm
Sorry I’m late! But thank you so much ❤️
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AuthorHi, I'm Rebecca Stevens and this is my blog for my English Composition I class! Through my blog posts, I hope to show you bits and pieces of my life and character. Archives
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