Introduction

Berg som vita elefanter is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1927 in the collection Men Without Women. The story revolves around a couple, the man and the woman, who are having a conversation in a train station in Spain. They are waiting for a train to Madrid, and are drinking beer and talking about their lives. The woman is pregnant, and the man is trying to convince her to have an abortion. The story is often analyzed for its themes of alcoholism, communication breakdown, and the impossibility of true love.

The Characters

The two main characters in the story are only referred to as "the man" and "the woman". They are both Americans, and it is suggested that they are a couple, although this is never explicitly stated. The man is a writer, and the woman used to be a nurse. They are both heavy drinkers, and the woman is pregnant. The man is trying to convince her to have an abortion, but she is resistant.

Alcoholism

One of the main themes of the story is alcoholism. The man and the woman are both heavy drinkers, and they consume several bottles of beer throughout their conversation. The alcohol seems to be a way for them to avoid the difficult conversation they are having about the possible abortion. It also seems to be a way for them to escape from their problems and their unhappy lives.

Communication Breakdown

Another theme of the story is the breakdown of communication between the man and the woman. They seem to be speaking two different languages, and they are unable to understand each other. This is evident in their conversation about the abortion, where the man is trying to convince the woman to have it, but she is resistant. They are talking past each other, and are unable to find common ground.

The Impossibility of True Love

The story also explores the impossibility of true love. The man and the woman seem to have a strained relationship, and it is clear that they are not happy. They are unable to connect with each other, and seem to be trapped in their own unhappy lives. The story suggests that true love is impossible, and that even when two people are together, they may not be able to find happiness with each other.

The Setting

The story is set in a train station in Spain, and the setting is an important element of the story. The train station is a liminal space, a place of transition between two places. This reflects the state of the characters' relationship, which is also in a state of transition. The train station is also a place of waiting, and the characters are waiting for a train to Madrid. This waiting reflects the characters' sense of being stuck in their lives, waiting for something to happen.

The Title

The title of the story, "berg som vita elefanter", is a reference to the hills in the distance that the characters see from the train station. The woman describes them as looking like "white elephants". This is a metaphor for the unwanted pregnancy, which is the central conflict of the story. The title also suggests that the characters are unable to communicate with each other, as they are speaking two different languages.

The Symbolism

The story is rich in symbolism, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. The hills in the distance, the "white elephants", are a metaphor for the unwanted pregnancy. The train station is a liminal space, a place of transition between two places, which reflects the state of the characters' relationship. The beer they drink is a symbol of their desire to escape from their problems and their unhappy lives. The story is full of these symbolic elements, which enrich the reading experience.

The Narrative Style

The narrative style of the story is typical of Hemingway's minimalist style. The dialogue is spare and understated, and there is very little description of the characters or the setting. This style creates a sense of detachment, and allows the reader to focus on the themes and the symbolism of the story. It also creates a sense of ambiguity, as the reader is left to interpret the story for themselves.

The Conflict

The central conflict of the story is the unwanted pregnancy, and the man's desire for the woman to have an abortion. This conflict is never resolved, and the story ends with the characters still in the train station, waiting for a train. The unresolved conflict reflects the impossibility of true love, and the breakdown of communication between the man and the woman.

The Theme of Abortion

The theme of abortion is a controversial one, and the story has been analyzed for its treatment of the subject. Some critics have argued that the story is pro-choice, as it depicts a woman who is resistant to having an abortion, and who ultimately decides not to have one. Others have argued that the story is anti-choice, as it depicts a man who is pushing the woman to have an abortion, and who sees the pregnancy as a burden.

The Theme of Freedom

The theme of freedom is also present in the story, as the man is trying to convince the woman to have an abortion so that they can be free. He sees the pregnancy as a burden, and believes that having a child will tie them down and prevent them from living their lives. The woman, on the other hand, sees the pregnancy as a source of freedom, as it represents a new life and a new beginning.

The Theme of Identity

The theme of identity is also present in the story, as the characters are struggling to find their place in the world. The man is a writer, but he is struggling to find inspiration for his writing. The woman used to be a nurse, but she is now pregnant and unsure of what her future holds. The story suggests that identity is a fluid concept, and that people are constantly struggling to find their place in the world.

The Theme of Loneliness

The theme of loneliness is also present in the story, as the characters are isolated from each other and from the world around them. They are in a train station in a foreign country, and they are unable to connect with the people around them. They are also isolated from each other, as they are unable to communicate effectively. The story suggests that loneliness is a universal human experience, and that it is something that we all struggle with.

The Theme of Love

The theme of love is also present in the story, although it is a love that is doomed from the start. The man and the woman seem to have a strained relationship, and it is clear that they are not happy. They are unable to connect with each other, and seem to be trapped in their own unhappy lives. The story suggests that true love is impossible, and that even when two people are together, they may not be able to find happiness with each other.

The Theme of Regret

The theme of regret is also present in the story, as the characters are both haunted by their past mistakes. The man regrets not being able to write, and feels that he has wasted his talent. The woman regrets leaving her job as a nurse, and feels that she has lost her sense of purpose. The story suggests that regret is a powerful emotion, and that it can prevent us from moving forward in our lives.

The Theme of Time

The theme of time is also present in the story, as the characters are waiting for a train to Madrid. Time seems to be standing still, and the characters are unable to move forward in their lives. The story suggests that time is a powerful force, and that it can trap us in our past mistakes and regrets.

The Theme of Truth

The theme of truth is also present in the story, as the characters are struggling to be honest with each other. The man is trying to convince the woman to have an abortion, but he is not being honest about his motivations. The woman, on the other hand, is being honest about her desire to keep the baby, but she is not being honest about her feelings for the man. The story suggests that truth is a difficult and elusive concept, and that it can be difficult to be honest with ourselves and with others.

The Theme of Youth

The theme of youth is also present in the story, as the characters are both struggling to hold onto their youth. The man is trying to write, but feels that he has lost his creative spark. The woman is pregnant, and is unsure of what her future holds. The story suggests that youth is a fleeting and precious thing, and that it can be difficult to hold onto as we grow older.

The Theme of Death

The theme of death is also present in the story, as the characters are both struggling with the idea of death. The man is struggling to write, and feels that he has lost his creative spark. The woman is pregnant, and is facing the prospect of a life-changing decision. The story suggests that death is a powerful force, and that it can make us question our own mortality and the meaning of life.

The Theme of Hope

The theme of hope is also present in the story, as the characters are both struggling to find hope in their lives. The man is struggling to write, but he still has hope that he will be able to find his creative spark. The woman is pregnant, and she still has hope that she will be able to have the baby and find happiness with the man. The story suggests that hope is a powerful force, and that it can help us to overcome our struggles and find meaning in our lives.

The Theme of Despair

The theme of despair is also present in the story, as the characters are both struggling with feelings of despair. The man is struggling to write, and feels that he has lost his creative spark. The woman is pregnant, and is facing the prospect of a life-changing decision. The story suggests that despair is a powerful force, and that it can make us question the meaning of life and the value of our own existence.

The Theme of Freedom

The theme of freedom is also present in the story, as the characters are both struggling to find freedom in their lives. The man is trying to convince the woman to have an abortion so that they can be free. The woman, on the other hand, sees the pregnancy as a source of freedom, as it represents a new life and a new beginning. The story suggests that freedom is a complex and elusive concept, and that it can mean different things to different people.

The Theme of Isolation

The theme of isolation is also present in the story, as the characters are both isolated from each other and from the world around them. They are in a train station in a foreign country, and they are unable to connect with the people around them. They are also isolated from each other, as they are unable to communicate effectively. The story suggests that isolation is a universal human experience, and that it is something that we all struggle with.

The Theme of Gender Roles

The theme of gender roles is also present in the story, as the man is trying to convince the woman to have an abortion. This reflects the traditional gender roles of the time, where men were seen as the decision-makers and women were expected to be submissive. The story suggests that gender roles are a social construct, and that they can be limiting and oppressive.

The Theme of Masculinity

The theme of masculinity is also present in the story, as the man is trying to convince the woman to have an abortion. This reflects the traditional ideas of masculinity, where men were expected to be strong and decisive. The story suggests that these ideas of masculinity can be damaging, and that they can prevent men from being vulnerable and open with their emotions.

The Theme of Femininity

The theme of femininity is also present in the story, as the woman is pregnant and is facing the prospect of a life-changing decision. This reflects the traditional ideas of femininity, where women were expected to be nurturing and caring. The story suggests that these ideas of femininity can be limiting and oppressive, and that women should be free to make their own choices about their lives.

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