Hills like white elephants

Hills like white elephants

“Between two lines of rails”

In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” a couple is laid over at a train station on their way to Madrid, where presumably they are going for an abortion.   This short story is told mostly through dialogue, the only real narration given is about the setting. The couple's dialogue is vague, and at times even childish. It is what is not said, that can be seen in the symbolism of their surroundings. It is through this symbolism that we see the true thoughts and feelings of the couple.
The couple waits in limbo "between two lines of rails" (144).   One rail goes to Barcelona and the other Madrid, where the couple are headed to get an abortion. The two rails could represent two choices or directions that the couple could go in. They are at a junction, just like the one they are at in life. The tracks run parallel; it is one way or the other. There is no room for compromise.   The couple is laid over here forty minutes waiting for "the express from Barcelona" (144) and when it arrives; they only have two minutes to board.   This gives the situation a sense of urgency.
On one side of the station, there were a line of hills, "white in the sun and the country was brown and dry." (144)   "They look like White elephants, she said."   (144)   The hills could symbolize a pregnant woman's body when she is lying down.   It seems they just talk about drinking, and when the girl brings up the hills, the American just dismisses it.   "I've never seen one."   (144). Perhaps the man is not referring to a white elephant, but to his situation.   Perhaps he has never had to deal with this issue before.   The country around the hills could represent being barren, if they decide to go through with the abortion.   Again, they talk of drinks, and again she brings up the hills, until finally the issue at hand is brought up.
After some time of talking a girl stands up and walks “to the end of the station."   (146). The girl could be doing this to...