Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is a despondent portrait of a relationship at the point of dissolution. It's a picture of two people who are at the brink of a decision that will effect the rest of their lives. To the girl, the decision will be life altering. To the man, the decision is simple. However, for one of them this decision will mean a new found freedom; for the other it will mean a new beginning. .
The man in the story has no name and is referred to as the "American." He has a girlfriend he refers to as "Jig." There is no real seriousness to their relationship. All they do is travel from place to place drinking and looking at scenery. They have never been confronted with any decisions other than what kind of alcohol to drink. .
Suddenly they are confronted with a life altering decision. The decision is whether to keep the baby or to abort the baby, which Jig is pregnant with. While kicking back a few drinks, they begin to discuss their decision. The "American" tries to assure "Jig" this is a "simple operation." He tries to reassure her that it's "not an operation at all." Even though he has told her not to worry about it and that it's no big deal, she still feels it is a big deal. He does not want to be weighed down with excess baggage, which he feels the baby is. They have been happy up until now; if they get rid of the baby he feels they will be happy once again.
As the couple discusses their situation, the girl begins to distract herself by focusing on lush scenery. Even though she is unsure if she wants to go through with the abortion, she will do anything to hold on to him. The more they talk about the decision the more heated it becomes. Finally, not being able to talk anymore, she tells him to "please please please please please please please stop talking." After that he gets up walks across to the other track to get their "heavy bags." When he returns he asks her how she feels, she tells him she is fine and there is nothing wrong.