White Elephants.

     Ernest Hemingway "Hills like white elephants" opening statement led way to the contrast in the opinions of the couple and the life altering decision they would be making. the American never mentioned by name and the seemingly young lady who was referred to as the girl or Jig giving the impression that she was young and inexperienced, yet was old enough for them to have a sexual relationship which has them arriving at the decision of contemplating if to abort their child or to raise "it" together. 

This story has many open-ended questions from the American suggesting more less desiring to terminate the pregnancy not thinking or caring of the repercussions that could arise had the procedure gone wrong and Jig could lose the ability to conceive or even die in the process. he tried to minimize the situation for his advantage to rid of the pregnancy but keep the relationship between himself and the girl. the story takes place at a train station where the couple are awaiting the train taking them to Madrid for the procedure, it seems Jig is unfamiliar she doesn't speak Spanish so she is at the American's mercy for direction and understanding. also once the decision has been made where will the relationship lead to? 

The white elephants significance in the story is referring to the unborn child and by definition white elephants are an object of value to its owner but of no value to others. basically the American's stance on the unwanted, unplanned pregnancy versus Jig's mindset of considering keeping the child if her partner wanted her to and raise the child together as a family. however the man has made it painstakingly clear he is not interested in being a parent, as the elder in this situation I believe he tried to use several manipulation tactics to play on the girls naivety insisting that the operation would be simple or when he implied that if she wanted to keep the child he didn't mind with hopes of persuading her to make the decision that would benefit both of them by ending the pregnancy even saying he knew other people who were in the same situation whose relationships were better after the white elephant was no longer an issue.  

in the conclusion of they are informed the train is five minutes away and the American prepares to take the bags to the platform leaving the girl nursing her Spanish beer, he makes a bee line for the bar after dropping the bags in their designated spot for another drink this time alone signifying the possible end of their "relationship", but he returns the young girls side while she awaits with a smile insisting "she is fine" but I think he knows she is the opposite.