impure and its strength is diluted. This is the same transformation that the innocence of the girl goes trough as she experiences intimacy with the man and has become pregnant; she is now impure and weakened. In the end, she notes her disappointment and says, "'It tastes like licorice,'" then concludes, "'Everything tastes like licorice. Especially all of the things you've waited so long for, like absinthe'" (172). Relating her experience of trying the Anis with other experiences she has had with the man, whether it be sex, love, or hope for the future; she went in with curious aspiration, and came out with regretful discontent.A great deal of tone and action can be lifted from the short dialog almost immediately. The girl is evasive as she "looks at the bead curtain," showing her discomfort in the conversation (171). The man is obviously distracted and bothered and uses little dialog or enthusiasm when he offers, "'Anis del Toro. It's a drink'" (171). He has had the drink before but has no interest in telling the girl any more than the fact that it is a drink and "'it's all right'" (171). When the man answers "'yes, with water,'" the very next line tells the reader that the girl is tasting the drink, indicating that a long silence has taken place between the two characters while the waitress ordered and delivered the drinks (172). Finally, the tone switches again when the man halfheartedly answers, "'that's the way with everything,'" and the girl harshly retorts with, "'Yes. Everything tastes of licorce,'" repeating the word "everything" to show emphasis and sarcasim (172).In merely 14 lines from "Hills Like White Elephants," the reader can gather crucial information about the situation at hand and the hostility that exists between the two characters. The joy ride experienced by the carefree couple has been soured, yet enlightened, with the confrontation of responsibility. Now, the girl must come to grips about the meaning of their re...
