rasts are apparent though out the narrative, such as Jigs association with light as opposed to the Americans relationship to darkness. This association is evident in Jigs recognition of her environment, noting that the hills were "white in the sun" (343), and is further developed through minute details like "The girl smiled brightly at the woman" (346) These contrasts act as an important bridge between the superficial two-dimensional girl and the complex rounded woman that we can identify with.Hemingway purposely refrains from giving the characters proper names, allowing them to be symbols of many couples in the same situation. This ambiguous method of writing continues even until the last line, when Jig declares "Theres nothing wrong with me. I feel fine." (346) which aids in the uncertainty of the ultimate outcome.Parallel to our own lives, the ultimate outcome is kept from the reader. The apparent gaps in the story should not be viewed detrimentally, for they allow us to fill in the missing pieces; forcing the reader to identify, relate and struggle along side the characters. In "Hills Like White Elephants," Ernest Hemingway develops the character of Jig in the same manner that we all construct our own identity; by allowing the ever present external forces of stereotypes, pre-imposed ideas and constant tests of strength to shape us into who we are. ...
