Answer to Question #224041 in English for ernie

Question

How does “Hills Like White Elephants” express uncertainty?

Answer 1

Ernest Hemmingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" expresses uncertainty in various ways. The girl initially describes the hills as looking like white elephants but later says that they don't look like white elephants but that the color of the elephant's skin through the trees is what reminds her of the hills, creating uncertainty around the characterization of the hills.

The American man and the girl do not directly define the "operation" they are discussing about.They use vague terms, causing ambiguity whether the text at face value means an abortion.

At the end of the text, there's uncertainty on the girl's decision. She says she "realizes" and asks the man to stop talking. It's uncertain whether she decides to carry on with the operation or not or to keep her relationship with the man.