Relationship Dynamics In Hills Like White Elephant - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1940 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/05/29 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Hills Like White Elephants Essay Did you like this example? The Relationship Dynamics in Hills Like White Elephant Hills Like White Elephant is one of Ernest Hemingwayrs stories that utilizes his Iceberg theory style of writing. This story is set in Spain at a train station with a man, the American and a woman, Jig discussing an operation. The couple is at a crossroad in their lives when they must decide whether Jig must have an abortion or not in order to determine the fate of their relationship. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Relationship Dynamics In Hills Like White Elephant" essay for you Create order Hills Like White Elephant is set up as a dialogue between the two, in which the American is trying to convince Jig to abort the child, but she is hesitant in doing so. Throughout the story, Hemingway uses metaphors to express the characters feelings and decisions as well as highlighting the differences in the way a man and a woman view an abortion. As readers dig beneath the surface to understand what the couple is trying to decide on, the Iceberg theory method allows them to analyze what the relationship dynamics are between the American and Jig. Thus, resulting in two general conclusions which are Jig will either have the abortion in other to keep the relationship with the American or she will keep the child and find solace. Scholars such as Howard Hannum and Susanty Susanty argue from the point of view that based on the dynamics of the relationship between Jig and the American, Jigrs decision is to keep the unborn child. However, Nilofer Hashmi argues in his article, ?Hills Like White Elephants: The Jilting of Jig, that based on the Americanrs strong personality and conceit it would be difficult to infer that he gave into Jigrs wish to keep the child. Considering textual evidence and the use of dialogue in the story, the overwhelming feeling that Jig experiences in the relationship is portrayed throughout her sarcastic comments in reply to the American. Therefore, the dynamic of the relationship suggests that Jig will terminate the relationship and keep the unborn child in order to find solace. At the beginning of the story as the couple waits at the train station, the story directs the focus towards the dynamic of the relationship. The following quote highlights the difference in views they both have towards the abortion: On this side there was no shade and no trees and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun. Close against the side of the station there was the warm shadow of the building and a curtain, made of strings of bamboo beads, hung across the open door into the bar, to keep out flies. (181) In the above quote, the station is symbolic of the unborn child, the side between the rails that has no shade and no trees represents the Americanrs view on abortion, while the side closest to the station with the warm shadow of the building represents Jigrs view on the abortion. The setting Hemingway uses at the train station supports the point of view that the relationship between the American man and the girl is at a crossroad. The location of the station, which is symbolic to the unborn is planted in the center of a barren hill. This positioning of the station shows that the unborn is an obstacle in their relationship and that they must decide on what the outcome is going to be. However, the station isnt the final stop but more so a checkpoint between Barcelona and Madrid where the two must come up with a solution to their problem. The position of the side closest to the station is fertile and creates an imagery of the warmth of a motherrs love as well as her duty to protect her child. Whereas, the side that represents the Americanrs view is infertile and shows no means of protection (shade). This use of imagery and symbolism supports the claim that Jig is drawn closer to keeping the child and this is traced all the way to the end of the story. The foundation of their relationship is based on sexual pleasures and alcohol which proves that the dynamics of the relationship is not guided by ?true love but by sexual feelings. In Hannumrs article, ?Jig Jig to Dirty Ears: White Elephants to Let., he argues that the American does not value the relationship both him and Jig has; as he would not force her to have the abortion. The American says, Itrs really an awfully simple operation, Jig. Itrs not really an operation at all. He continues by saying thatrs the only thing that bother us. Itrs the only thing thatrs made us unhappy. Hannum states, at any rate, Jig expresses all too well what the girl had meant to the American: when she revealed her pregnancy to him, she instantly became a white elephant (a once-prized possession that had lost its former value) in his eyes, but the term recurs and acquires symbolic complexity as the story develops (Hannum 46). Similarly, Jig is also displeased with the Americanrs narrow mindedness and expresses this in the following exchange as she looks at the hills in the distance. They look like white elephants, she said. The American responds Ive never seen one after which he drinks more beer. Jig then responds, no, you wouldnt have (182). At this instance the American gets defensive, but Jig ignores him which shows her transition leading up to her decision to keep the unborn and disregard the Americanrs views. The previous exchange is important in proving that from the very beginning of the story Jig is not moved by what he says or does and thus she will keep the child. Jig is not surprised that he has never seen a white elephant; something that is unwanted especially if it becomes expensive to care for. The Americanrs response justifies that he never deals with things that he does not want. Therefore, he closes his mind to anything he is not interested in. Jig recognizes this then switches the subject of the conversation when she looks at the bead curtain and ask him what the painting says (182). The pleasure aspect of the relationship is depicted when Jig mentions and questions the substance of the relationship, I wanted to try this new drink. Thatrs all we do, isnt it look at things and try new drinks? The American responds I guess so (183). The Americanrs response proves that he has no value for the relationship because he did not provide an assurance that he truly loves her and understands how much keeping the baby would mean to her. Also, the fact that he described the abortion process as a awfully simple operation suggests that he has not looked beyond the operation itself and exaggerates it to be an easy procedure. However, if the term is viewed by its literal meaning it means that an abortion is dreadful, but the procedure can be simple. In this case, he did not take into consideration the after effects the abortion would have on Jig if she follows through. In Hills Like White Elephant the American did not base his views on the greater good for him and Jig but on his egotistic view. In Susantyrs article, The Meaning of Relationship in Hemingwayrs ?Hills Like White Elephant., it indicates that the story was written during a period of patriarchal dominance and that the men are said to be egocentric. Susanty also suggests that the men had no understanding of a meaningful relationship and that relationships should not be based on one personrs insensitive view but to rather compromise for the greater good for both. Similarly, in Hills Like White Elephant the American did not whole heartedly take Jigrs view on the abortion seriously. His way of manipulating her through a form of guilt tripping is depicted throughout the following dialogue: If you dont want to you dont have to. I wouldnt have you do it if you didnt want to. But I know itrs perfectly simple. And you really want to? I think itrs the best thing to do. But I dont want you to do it if you dont really want to. And if I do it youll be happy and thing will be like they were and youll love me? I love you now. You know I love you. I know. But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and youll like it? (183) The American was more worried about her keeping the child and not her concerns on the after effects she would experience if she does the abortion. The constant back and forth in the dialogue between the two is used as a tactic in guilt tripping Jig to make it seem as if she was overreacting. It is important to reiterate that the American, in fact, was not ready to have a child. Due to the one-sided dominance, the relationship is broken between the two. Jig asked, Doesnt it mean anything to you? We could get along. The American says to her, of course it does, but I dont want anybody but you, I dont want anyone else and I know itrs perfectly simple (185). Once again, the American trying to persuade Jig on how easy the operation is and that his expectations on the outcome of the relationship was not to have a child but just to have her. She tries to shut him up by asking would you please please please please please please stop talking? Also, she mentions Ill scream (185). Both her disgusted attitude towards the American as previously suggested and her efforts to keep him from talking at this point in the story suggest that she is ready to move beyond the checkpoint and make her own decisions. Jigrs choice to keep the child is clearly depicted by the following excerpt, the girl smiled brightly at the woman, to thank her. Also, Jig smiles when the American says to her, Id better take the bags over to the other side of the station (185). The fact that the American took the bags to the ?other side and Jig smiled simply proves that the side they are going to is the one that she is happy with. Coming back, he walked through the barroom, where people waiting for the train were drinking. He drank an Anis at the bar and looked at the people. They were all waiting reasonably for the train. He went out through the bead curtain. She was sitting at the table and smiled at him. (185) Throughout the story, this is the first time Jig smiles and seem happy. She was not content when he was trying his best to persuade her into getting an abortion. Therefore, it evident that her happiness at this point in the story is the result of being left alone for a few minutes so that she could decide what she wants to do without being interrupted. Lastly, Jig used the dialogue throughout the story as an opportunity to insert irony in the form of sarcasm, in order to find out the Americanrs true feelings towards her. Her findings on his egotistic views and inconsideration on the abortion helps her to make her decision. The story ends with the following, I feel fine, she said. Therers nothing wrong with me. I feel fine (186). Jigrs quote justifies that she has made up her mind to keep the child. She also disregards the Americanrs view of her as a ?white elephant if she follows through with keeping the child. Thus, Jig keeps the child as a form of solace for the broken relationship she experienced with the American.

Member of the Wedding by Carson Mccullers - Context Essay...

â€Å"Without connection to others there is no me† Throughout our lives, everyone that we share bonds with and interact with on a regular basis, either forms or has some sort of influence on our identity. Consequently, the majority of us naturally find ourselves striving to fit in with these people, especially during the tough transition from childhood to adulthood. It is this part of the human condition that makes us feel as though we must forge ties with something outside of ourselves in order to establish a strong sense of existence and a clear understanding of who we are. Although most individuals are able to make these connections with others naturally, others who stray from the social norm might not be so fortunate, but rather than†¦show more content†¦But still, she didn’t let anyone’s disapproval of her identity deter her, and continued to carry the burden of being alienated in order to remain true to herself. By expressing her homosexuality with self-assurance, others were eventually forced to accept R uby for who she was, and she has since gone on to be extremely successful in life, having been selected to act in a number of films including the Australian comedy â€Å"Suite for Fleur†, designing her own fashion range, and much more. In 2008 and 2009, she was also chosen as one of the ‘25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians’ by â€Å"Same Same†, an Australian online gay and lesbian community. This indicates that true existence can only be found when our decisions and actions are truly our own; when we stand alone and free of connections, without social influence. Considering a different perspective, it can be argued that both sides of the argument are true to a certain extent, in that we are able to possess a sense of existence whilst devoid of most connections, but there are some affiliations such as the bonds we share with our family that we cannot live without. A sense of acceptance from our familial ties and intimate relationships with others shape who we are. These connections ideally provide love, protection, security and the opportunity to discover our values, attitudes, and beliefs that help to define us from the time of our birth. In ‘The Member of the Wedding’,Show MoreRelatedWithout Connection to Others There Is No Me1863 Words   |  8 Pageson an individual’s sense of belonging include identity and heritage.  It is a part of humanity which makes us desire to want to belong to a social, religious or even racial group which ultimately forms the person we become. Renowned author Carlson McCullers reflects thes e ideas. â€Å"I think the idea of wanting to belong haunts every child. And not only children. I think it is the primary question. Who am I? What am I? And where do I belong?†It is of grave importance that we understand we are simply mere

The Impact of Recession on Small and Medium Enterprises

Question: Case Study, Business Development Plan and Dissertation topics can be used if required but it is not mandatory. Discussion and debate on the above mentioned sections should be seen. It is expected that you use current peer-reviewed journals and articles to ensure that you have an in-depth understanding of your topic particularly for the Literature Review. Answer: Introduction: The impact of Recession on Small and medium business enterprises is the primary concern of this particular study. UK is possessed with a large number of small and medium enterprises based on which the people love to lead their day-to-day life. The overarching term recession is a temporary economic decline because of which the rhythmic flow of trade and industrial activities are fervently reduced. Currently it has been noticed that a large number of small enterprises of UK such as TPP, Opus Recruitment Solution, The 7 Stars, Reassured Ltd and ChapmanBlack are facing an economic crisis due to several reasons. The diminution of profit margin after selling particular products, ineffective marketing budget planning and lack of risk analysis are the major causes of business recession. As a result, these small business organizations have to face a major impact both on the employees and on the entire business process. The cash flow has been reduced, the existing staffs have been sacked due to the declination of economy. This particular study has focused to deal with the major effects of recession on those small and medium enterprises. Background: UK was possessed with a large number of small business enterprises with the help of which people from various geographical areas love to lea their day-to-day life (Bailey and Berkeley 2014). As per the National statistics and survey report, it has been observed that UK SMEs has faced immense challenges in order to run their flow of business properly. The survey report analyses that most of the small business organizations like to lead their business without maintaining an effective profit making plan and progress. As a result, the business experts like to invest large amount of money for product promotion and distribution. Furthermore, before implementing a business strategy and policy, the business managers do not like to conduct an effective risk analysis (Barron, Hultn and Hudson 2012). If this particular strategy fails to draw the attention of target customers, the business experts should implement alternative business policy. These specific factors render a major recession on sm all and medium business enterprises. However, the current study focuses to deal with the necessary impact of recession on SMEs of UK. (https://www.cimaglobal.com) Rationale: The outcome of recession on small and medium enterprises of UK is the primary issue of this specific business report proposal. Form the year 2007, it has been noticed that most of the emerging small business organizations of UK have to face immense difficulties in order to run their organization successfully (Battisti, Deakins and Perry 2013). The human resource managers are unable to recruit sufficient employees within their business process. In addition, a large number of employees have become victimized due to this recession. Both the employees and the employers have faced a disastrous consequence while running their organization systematically (Cowling et al. 2015). Therefore, this particular issue has been raised in order to get a clear overview about the effects of business recession on employees and employers of small and medium enterprises. Aims: This specific study primarily aims to evaluate the necessary reasons of business recession due to which the entire business process of small and medium business enterprises have been immensely affected (Castillo et al. 2014). While discussing the impact, the study intends to highlight the major factors that are the key reasons of rendering the business crisis on the small enterprises of UK. Objectives: The objectives of this particular study are as follows: To understand the effect of recession on the small business process of UK To critically analyze the factors affecting the rhythmic flow of small business enterprises To recommend how small and medium business enterprises of UK would be able to overcome this static situation Research question: What is the impact of recession on small and medium enterprises of UK? What are the necessary factors that highly influence the business processes of UK SMEs? What should be the recommendations for reducing recession from SMEs of UK? Significance of the study: Small and medium business enterprises play a major role in order to provide sufficient job opportunities to the people in general. After facing this kind of situation, most of the small and medium enterprises have to face immense difficulties to retain their existing employees within the process of business (Cowling, Liu and Ledger 2012). As a result, people in general have to suffer immense after losing the job opportunities. This is the primary reason of choosing this particular topic as a business research issue. After evaluating the impact of recession on SMEs, some of the major recommendations would also be provided in order to come into a conclusion. Research Methodology Outline of the research methodology: Research methodology is the systematic procedure of conducting an entire research with the help of some relevant processes. In order to accomplish a complete research, methodology is one of the major parts based on which most of the data and information from various resources are collected (Eggers et al. 2013). This particular study focuses to deal with appropriate research philosophy and approach based on which relevant data and information regarding the small and medium enterprises of UK can be gathered. In addition, in order to collect accurate data the study would like to focus on primary data collection procedure for accomplishing the entire proposal effectively (Enqvist, Graham and Nikkinen 2014). Primary data collection procedure is constituted with several types such as group discussion, focal group, interview method, survey method and so on. For this particular study, only survey and interview process would be selected for collecting data from different authentic resources. Research philosophy: Research philosophy is the inward belief about particular phenomena. This belief can be acquired by observing the phenomena philosophically. Research philosophy is consisted with several types that include positivism philosophy, realism and finally interpretivism philosophy. Post positivism philosophy would be used for this particular research issue (Henry 2013). As per the point of view of most of the positivists, observations are always repeatable whereas phenomena are isolated. While conducting an effective research, an individual should have a keen observation power based on which this individual would be able to distinguish the factors. Post positivism philosophy is highly dependent on observation (Jones et al. 2013). On the other hand, this particular process of research is not very much cost effective. In order to observe a fact and realize the essence of its fact, the analyst does not have to spend sufficient money (Madridà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Guijarro et al. 2013). That is one of t he most effective reasons of choosing positivism philosophy for this specific proposal. Research approach: Research approach is the systematic way based on which the collected data and information can be utilized within the research. It deals with two primary classifications including deductive approach and inductive approach. This particular proposal will concentrate to deal with deducted approach as deductive approach is primarily based on case study. After conducting an effective case study on the research issue, the relevant data and information has been collected (Papaoikonomou, Segarra and Li 2012). For this specific research issue, few case studies will be conducted in order to know how many SMEs of UK have suffered in recession from the year 2007. Therefore, deductive approach is based on reality. That is the primary reason of choosing this approach for conducting an effective research on this specific topic (Price, Rae and Cini 2013). In addition, deductive approach is time consuming but not very cost effective. As a result, the entire research work can be conducted accurately fo r executing in-depth data analysis. Data collection method and technique: Data collection method has been considered as one of the most effective techniques of acquiring appropriate data and information regarding the particular research issue. Data collection method is constituted with two types that include primary source of data and secondary source of data (Smallbone et al. 2012). Primary source of data will be collected from survey, interview, and group discussion and so on. On the other hand, secondary source of data is collected from various books, journals, magazines, website information and many. This particular business research proposal will focus to collect primary source of data due to several reasons. Primary source of data helps to collect current information from different sources. The communication in between the sender and receiver is very effective in primary source of data collection. Participants can get a scope to provide an immediate feedback whether positive or negative. On the other hand, participants can directly involve in delivering appropriate data and information (Soininen et al. 2012). SMEs of UK are large in number. As a result, not every employee of various business organizations would be able to provide relevant data. Only some of the popular organizations of UK such as Opus Recruitment Solution, The 7 Stars will be earnestly requested for providing important information for creating recession within the business process small business enterprises of UK. While collecting primary source of data, the two major data collection techniques would be used for conducting an effective research work. Both the qualitative and quantitative source of data would be used in order to get an immediate feedback from the participants. 50 employees of Opus Recruitment Solution will be chosen in order to conduct an effect survey. On the other hand, 5 managers from this particular organization would be selected in order to collect their response regarding the impact of recession on the SMEs of Australia. Sampling technique: Sampling is a harmonized procedure of involving the participants for providing data about the particular issue raised in this specific study. Sampling technique is consisted with two parts that include probability sampling and non-probability sampling technique. Apparently, sampling method is quite different population. Population is conducted with a large number of people beyond any specific boundary (Wilson, Williams and Kemp 2012). For an example, Sampling technique will like to involve a specific participants limited with a particular department. Population does not maintain any geographical boundary. However, for this particular study, probability-sampling technique will be followed. Probability sampling is otherwise named as random sampling method. In probability sampling techniques, not specific participants are involved for providing feedback; rather a large number of employees from a particular department would be involved in order to provide feedback. More than 100 sampling size would be chosen. Among them 50 respondents are expected to participate in the survey report (Henry 2013). On the other hand, non-probability sampling technique is quite specific. Therefore, a large number of employees can never be involved in collecting appropriate data and information. SMEs of UK are highly affected with recession. Therefore, the employees can be involved in order to provide necessary data regarding the actual causes of recession in UK small business enterprises. Ethical, validity and reliability consideration: In order to conduct an effective research in a particular topic, some of the most important factors have to be taken into consideration. Ethical and reliability consideration are one of the factors. At the time of collecting sufficient data and information, ethics and values should be maintained strictly. Not a single person should be forced for providing any information. In addition, the data that would be collected from numerous resources should have reliability (Battisti, Deakins and Perry 2013). The survey and the interview that would be conducted from the employees and managers of the organizations should have validity. Research would be conducted based on the current feedback of the employees not on the previous point of views of participants. The employees that intend to take part in the survey and interview methods should be reliable. Time horizon: Research activity First week Second week Third week Fourth week Fifth week Sixth week Seventh week Writing research proposal à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Understanding the literature à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Finalizing the objectives à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Formulation of research approach à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Preparing research methodology à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Re-evaluation of secondary data à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Data Analysis à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Checking the total project à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Final submission of work à ¢Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  Figure 1 : Gantt chart Source: Created by Author Expected outcomes: The impact of recession on the SMEs of UK is the primary research issue. Based on that particular issue an effective research work will be conducted in order to know how the existing employees as well as the small business organizations of UK have to suffer immensely at the time of recession. While dealing with the project, an in-depth overview on the negative impact of recession has been discussed. At the same time, various factors that affect the organizational success have also been highlighted in the literature review. In the research methodology, the post positivism philosophy and deductive approach would be chosen in order to make an effective research. This particular proposal decides to choose 50 employees in survey method for collecting data and information regarding the various factors of recession. Therefore, the outcome of the entire research is expected to be positive. At the same time, it is undeniable that only 50 employees are not sufficient for providing sufficient data and information for the particular research topic. The expected outcome may be affected due to the limited number of respondents. Reference List: Bailey, D. and Berkeley, N., 2014. 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