The Understatement of Hemingway

Review

Ernest Hemingway did once again, with his short story Hills Like White Elephants in the collection Men Without Women (1927), prove that he mastered the writing style of understatement fully.
Setting his story in a warm, lonesome railroad station with a view to the titular hills, Hemingway captures the dialogue between a man and a woman in a difficult situation by using the surroundings rather than long character descriptions to symbolise their emotions. While the topic of the conversation between the main characters may be lost on some readers, Hemingway’s excellent subtle depth and emotion will leave plenty of room for interpretation and imagining further on for all readers. By distancing himself from his characters, Hemingway never has to mention the word ‘abortion’, but can let the dialogue show the doubt of the girl and the manipulative words of the man in an effective and beautiful writing style.
Whether you are a big fan of Hemingway’s narrative style or not, you will admire his courage for taking on the ever controversial issue of abortion. The excellent study of such a thought-provoking topic, through symbolism and emotional conversation, makes this short story a must-read for Hemingway fans and first-time readers alike.