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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hills Like White Elephants - Prose


Sitting on the sofa by the hotel´s window, the girl enjoys the landscape. She tells herself she should remember this moment. It is going to be memorable day, one way or another. She should remember every bit of it. She looks at the hills and she fancies they resemble white elephants. She should remember to mention that to him. The American does love those silly remarks she makes about everyday things. He loves her. That is what he says, at least. Now she wonders though how deep his love for her goes. Is he willing to support her and her decisions no matter what? She does not know.

It is easy to love while travelling, looking at things and trying new drinks. However, when the scenario changes, feelings might also change. Will he still love her, if she tells him she will not take the train? Will she still love him, if she ends up regretting doing as he thought best? Will she still love herself once it is done? Maybe she already stopped caring about herself.

She stands up and straightens her blouse. She tries one more time, but still cannot button up the lowest part. She must have gained some weight, she thinks.  What would she look like in a couple of months? She does not know. It depends on what they decide to do now. 

He is done packing now. She gets her purse and hat and heads for the door. It is time to go to the  station to catch the train. Maybe they can have a beer or two while they wait. Maybe she can tell him about the hills like white elephants and he will laugh. Maybe she can get him to change his mind.

2 comments:

  1. The pre-story! Your girl character is touchingly naive - more so than she is in Hem's story, where her cynicism and fatigue w. life comes out very clearly.

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  2. I agree with what has already been said, but I thought I would just mention my interest in the line "it is easy to love while travelling...". I didn't give this much thought while I read the actual text, but I suppose it is indeed easier to fall in love when treading netural and unfamiliar ground. One foal will always feel alienated amongst a flock of sheep, but several foals will group together and use each other as lifelines. Nice observation/idea!

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