Ernest Hemingway’s reluctance to use the term “abortion” and tell whether the operation was attempted in “Hills like White Elephants,” are because of the taboo nature of the procedure, and Hemingway’s reluctance to reveal his views on a superior sex. Because the short story was written in the early 1900’s, an accepted ignorance that the characters may have on abortion is present. Although Hemingway never clearly states whether or not Jig, one of the disputed protagonist, has the abortion, many have come to their own conclusions. Unfortunately, Hemingway has a “reputation as a misogynist” and is “often criticized for his one-dimensional characterization of women” (Bauer 125-126), leading many to believe the American man is the true protagonist. 

Even though Hemingway never specifically gives a name to the operation, readers know it is an abortion upon a closer reading of the procedure. Hemingway describes the procedure as a way to “just let the air in” and says it is “perfectly natural” (Hemingway 528). The American Man, who at first appears dominant and smarter, contradicts himself on the topic of the procedure, calling it “a simple operation” and then stating that it is “not really an operation at all” (Hemingway). These statements also illustrate the general man’s ignorance on the procedure of abortion in the early 1900’s. Through the man’s obliviousness, Hemingway is able to create doubt on whether the man is the protagonist or not. Throughout the story, many see the Man as the dominant partner in the relationship, but Jig “[manipulates] him to her advantage by giving him the illusion of the upper hand” (Rankin 3). Hemingway highlights Jig’s manipulative skills, through her fake ignorance to the drink “Anis Del Toro” (Hemingway 528). In reality we know Jig is aware of the drink Anis Del Toro, through her sarcastic comments about the beverage containing “absinthe” (Hemingway). 

When trying to understand if Jig has the abortion, one must realize that Hemingway did not create a “one-dimensional” female character. Jig is instead a smart, manipulative female character who understands the importance of an abortion, and “recognize[s] that she is carrying a potentially valuable life” inside of her (Bauer 132). Jig’s awareness of the situation is exactly why she is believed to be “receiving more of the author’s approval” (Bauer). Through this approval readers may be led to believe that Jig did not go through with the abortion. There is a lack of acceptance in this claim, because it would debunk the claim that Hemingway was a misogynist. Although if one believed that the man had the final say on the procedure, there is evidence that supports the claim.

Those who look at Hemingway as a misogynist, see the American man “dominates the meeker, weaker sexed Jig” (Rankin 1). The man is less worried about the procedure that he has very little knowledge of, and more worried about the couple getting back to normal. Because the American man loves to travel free of responsibility, he wants Jig to have the abortion. Jig being dependent on the man for choices as simple as what to drink, should have no opinion on abortions. If a reader does not understand the genius writing of Hemingway, they might believe that Jig is dull. Hemingway intended for “Hills like White Elephants” to be ambiguous, and whether he meant it or not, through this his ambiguity Hemingway was able to generate a discussion on abortion

What the American man doesn’t understand, is how dangerous an abortion was in the early 1900’s. Since all we know is that the couple wasn’t in America, due to the specification of the man being American, the couple could be in a land where abortions are illegal. Hemingway’s reluctance to name the procedure might have also been to the operations sensitivity. Women were dying in Hemingway’s time, because of illegal abortions (Linda). One could take the easier route and say Hemingway was reluctant to state the operations name, because the couple did not understand the seriousness of the procedure. Although it is a fair point to be made, it is not supported by facts, because the couple have a fairly heated and serious conflict over the procedure.

Although there are many predictions as to what happened to the unborn baby, no one will ever truly know. Hemingway’s vagueness has caused multiple scholars to do a close reading on his work. There is still not a unanimous concise decision on what happened, but most of the evidence points to Jig not getting the procedure. The final words of Hemingway’s “Hills like White Elephants” are Jig telling the man “There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel Fine.” Jig realizes the problem with the relationship is not the subject of abortion, but instead the man’s immaturity and ignorance in the sincerity and seriousness of the operation. This immaturity and ignorance can correlate to how men looked at the operation in the early 1900’s and even mid 1900’s.
