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Hills Like White Elephants Iceberg Theory

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The iceberg theory is a style of writing arguing that the words on the page should only be a small part of the story, using as few words as possible to hint at a larger unknown story hidden beneath the surface. Its namesake came from a simple view of an iceberg. It seems small and insignificant from a surface level viewpoint, but upon further analysis, a realization occurs. The tip of the iceberg (or the words on the page) only make up a small fraction of the actual story and the intent of the author. In “Hills Like White Elephants”, Ernest Hemingway conveys the subject of abortion through the theme of human interaction by using the iceberg theory. There are several instances of dialogue that hint at the subject of the conversation being abortion. “‘It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig,’ the man said. ‘It's not really an operation at all.’ The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on. ‘I know you wouldn't mind it, Jig. It's really not anything. It's just to let the air in.’ The girl …show more content…

Humans are naturally social creatures, and need human interaction in order to function properly. The girl rationalizes her current situation by continually asking if the man would still love her. “‘And if I do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?’ ‘I love you now. You know I love you.’” (Hemingway 3). She does not want to have to abort her unborn child, and continually asks for reassurance in going through with the operation. Jig relies completely on the man, and is afraid she will lose the relationship she has with him, or the potential relationship with her child. “‘What do you mean?’ ‘ I don't care about me.’ ‘Well, I care about you.’ ‘Oh, yes. But I don't care about me. And I'll do it and then everything will be fine.’" (Hemingway 3). She seeks to fulfillment in others, and only cares for herself if others care for

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