Essay #3 Introduction

The writing of every single story, poem, and essay is influenced by something, whether the influence is an author’s life, cultural experiences, or even the author’s outlook on a situation. In order to better understand the text, the reader must understand these influences. In Hemingway’s Hills like White Elephants, there were many influences. Although the couple was not in America at the time, one must understand the Great Depression and American history during the 1920’s to understand the tough decisions and lifestyle choices people had to make. One must understand the title, white elephants, and why an animal relates to a story about abortion. The reader must know that white elephants are both a blessing and a curse. Hemingway used his story to ambivalently discuss politics while also introducing an issue that many people deal with.