Hills Like White Elephants

Amanda Onalaja

February 18, 2010

AP English III

The interesting thing I’ve come to love and yet despise about Ernest Hemingway, is his ability to end a story with the reader constantly wondering. The Old Man and the Sea was the first of his works I ever read, and by the novel’s end I found myself debating over several possible inferences the story left behind. The same can be said for “Hills Like White Elephants”. Hemingway seems to enjoy encrypting his stories with hidden inferences meant to capture and saturate his readers with curiosity. Take for instance the first paragraph of the story; we are given a setting in Italy at a bar in the midst of a summer heat wave. Out main characters are a man which the narrator refers to as “the American”, and a girl. The paragraph has generously given us a setting; however, questions arise in readers as to who are these unknown characters and what is there relationship. The girl is later revealed to be Jig while the identity of our male character remains hidden. I believe this is an example of ethos because Hemingway portrays this male as unimportant by the lack of characteristics.

Another aspect of “Hills Like White Elephants” I found interesting was the depiction of the female character Jig. In short, there seems to be nothing mature about her. I noticed her odd nature when she compared the beer she was drinking to licorice only to have her “innocence” teased when the American said, “Everything tastes of licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited to long for, like absinthe”. Upon learning that Absinthe was a form of alcohol I began to wonder how old Jig really was. Further reading enlightened me to the guardian-like persona the man had over her, especially when he seems to be coaxing her into some sort of “operation”. She almost has this childish nature in her when she begs, “Would you please please please please please please please stop talking” to the man.

Despite my small familiarity with Hemingway I have to say I was distressed with the story’s ending; expecting some sort of explanation for the conversation I had just read. Nevertheless, after carefully reviewing the story, I believe I’ve uncovered the hidden meaning behind Jig’s “operation”. The coaxing from the American, the guarantee of happiness, and the urge to please her companion led me to believe Jig has gotten herself into a tight situation, one that mirrors a modern day unplanned pregnancy. The phrase, “It’s just to let the air in”, made me realize Jig was undergoing something of an abortion. The calm way she handles his advances and worries confused me, but then again she was portrayed as somewhat naive therefore I assumed she just may not have known how big of a deal her situation was. Despite the anxiety the male seems to radiate I was surprised by him constantly reminding Jig that the decision was all hers, another clue that led me to my assumption.

Bernice Bobs Her Hair

Amanda Onalaja

February 17, 2010

AP English III – Pd. 2

Ms. Brown

“Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story was written in 1920 during the era of the infamous “Flapper movement”. Flappers were women of the 1920’s who revolutionized the modern woman. They were gutsy, frivolous, and characterized by short skirts and even shorter hairstyles. “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a witty snapshot of the trials of a young debutante and her transformation into a jazzy flapper.

The story line of “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is blatant from the title; however, the conflict within the story shields the author’s motive. Written as a humorous guide to the author’s sister, this story is filled with sarcasm and the taboos of society. Take for example Marjorie Harvey, Bernice’s dynamic cousin, who was characterized as a “gardenia girl” for her extreme popularity. She constantly belittles her unusual cousin, referring to her as a “lame-duck visitor”. Even when readers believe she is truly good at heart for helping Bernice gain society’s approval, jealously rears its ugly head when Marjorie teases Bernice for just being a pawn in her game. Nevertheless, the vicious character that is Marjorie is too common; women like her exist in diluted forms. If not for her undermining Bernice, the rebellious actions of the story’s climax might never had erupted.

There is a hint of ethos in this story in regard to the very character a flapper must possess. In the 1920’s the bob was beginning to become a popular hairstyle, but the reaction to Bernice’s final decision was less than glorified. Hair was a woman’s virtue. When Bernice boasted on the idea of cutting her hair she was idolized, but when the deed was done she was ridiculed. I doubt she looked that bad, therefore I believe the author subtly added his own opinions on the topic of bobbing a woman’s hair. He obviously must have disapproved of it to let his character be mistreated so. Perhaps the author himself disapproved of the flapper movement entirely. It certainly seems to be the case, being as at the story’s ending was less than noble. Just as Bernice flees her relative’s home, she cuts off Marjorie’s hair in retaliation. Why does the author portray this act as a punishment? The short style was meant to uplift women as a catalyst for change; however the author uses this as a backlash for a rather disappointing endeavor. Not only that, but it screams inferences at the portrayal of women; catty and selfish creatures that act on whims and get caught up with petty drama. Nevertheless, if Fitzgerald’s aim was to write an entertaining piece then I believe he accomplished that, despite the story’s contradictions.