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The Author's Intent In 'Hills Like White Elephants'

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The author’s intent in “Hills Like White Elephants” is to show what happens when people don’t communicate and aren’t honest about their feelings. In this story the two main character are clearly trying to avoid talking about something, and they do so by drinking. The man, who is given no name, but is called the American, is trying to act indifferent about the situation at hand. He claims he wants to the girl to do what she wants, but is clearly oversimplifying the matter. The girl seems very indecisive about what to do, and can’t seem to make any decisions, including what to drink, without first consulting the American. Although the situation the couple is discussing is never clarified, it is assumed that they are talking about the girl

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