Through the waiters" dialogue, it is clear that the younger waiter has a very different perspective on life, from his senior partner. The narrator of this story seldom identifies the speaker of specific lines, but marks him by using some key lines that fit into the characters own perspective. In "Hills Like White Elephants," the characters are a man and a woman talking about whether or not to keep their unborn child. Though Hemingway never specifically states the word "abortion" in the story, he implies the word by the reactions of the characters in the conversation. Often, Hemingway implies the topic in nonverbal mannerism; such as having his characters look away from each other when they speak, demonstrating physically disagreement with the other's point of view. The man expresses that he does not want to keep the child and tries to convince the woman to have an abortion. Even though the woman understands her partner's position, she continues to express her feelings about keeping the baby. Through the dialogue the reader senses how each character truly views the fragile situation. Their emotions are portrayed through their actions, their short abrupt answers, and the apparent distance between them. .
Hemingway also uses numerous symbols in his stories. Through symbolism, he is able to emphasize the importance of ideas, suggesting that he purposely leaves out the important details of the story in order to symbolize their meanings. In the story "A Clean Well - Lighted Place," Hemingway uses the darkness to symbolize fear and loneliness, and the light to symbolize comfort and the company of others. For the old man, the cafe is a sanctuary, an escape from the demons of nothingness that hide in the darkness of night. This cafe provides artificial light from the shadows of the world, and protects him from the inevitable darkness. "Against the neatness, light, and order of the cafe stands the dark chaos of the night, despair, nothingness and death.