The Stories Good People by Foster Wallace and Hills Like White Elephant by Ernest Hemingway - Essay Example

Literature Essay The Stories Good People buy Foster Wallace and Hills Like White Elephant by Ernest Hemingway are two short stories which talk about couples Who are faced with dilemmas. The two stories are written on similar themes with only the elements in them being different. The two short stories have the biggest similarity in the dilemma that is seen in them. This is in addition to the settings in the stories and how they play out. The major theme in the Good People by Foster Wallace is communication between couples. In the book, there seem to be a lack of communication in the conversations that take place where the man only communicates with the girl in his head but avoids communicating with the girl herself. This is a similar case with Hills Like White Elephant (Mays 15). In this story the couple is having a discussion while taking beer. One person says things to the other, but the other person seems not be listening to what the other party is saying or the point that is being put across. This leads to lack of proper communication between the couples. The scenario in Good People seems to be about a woman who is just about to undergo a medical procedure and the conflict that the woman has to go through with her partner. The medical operation is not, however clearly specified, but it seems to be an abortion. The medical operation is evidently a big deal in the story. According to Mays the essential conflict that seems to exist between the characters in the two short stories lies in the decision on whether or not to get an abortion (34). Hashmi asserts that Jig will have an abortion in “Hills Like White Elephant” so that he can preserve the relationship that he had with the American. The text, however offers a much different feeling. There seems to be some sarcasm element that is employed by the writer and these together with Jig’s dialogue are of very significant importance. In order to convince Jig to have an abortion the Americans tell her that the procedure bring good relationship. This contrasts with Lane and Sheri in “Good People”. While the relationship between Jig and Americans lack an essential form of mutual understanding and compassion that of Lane and Sheri does not lack this. Throughout “Good People”, Lane takes careful consideration of Sheri’s wishes among his own personal desires. Although he wants Sheri to get an abortion, the decision by him to leave work earlier so that they can discuss the issue together clearly shows that he was mindful of Sheri’s feelings. He is therefore unable to make a definite judgment on what requires to be done. He keeps reassuring Sheri that he will be with her despite the fact that it is clear that he could do this. This heavily contrasts with the American who similarly reassures Jig that they will be with her all the time and that the abortion procedure was a simple task and a natural one (Mays 35). In “Good People”, Lane makes a very bold statement so as to try to convince Sheri to get an abortion. However, Sheri ultimately makes a decision on her own that having the baby is a something that she must do. She, however realizes that raising the baby will not be an easy task since the baby is born out of wedlock. She goes ahead to gamble that Lane is a good man. This contrasts to the American in the “Hills like a White Elephant” who seems very resentful about the decision by Jig to have the baby In “Good People” the environment is described to be that associated with spring time. The grass in the park is indicated to be very green the air in the setting is described to be one that is suffused with honey suckle. This is a description of wet and lively scenes that symbolizes the existence of life in abundance. There is also an indication of the partially submerged trees which are used to show that the fetus was still alive. On the contrary the scene in the Hills Like a White Elephant is described as the hills (Mays 55). The hills are described to be white in the sun. The country is further said to be one which is brown and dry. This is basically a description of a barren landscape. The landscape is devoid of anything and therefore it represents purity. The white element in the hills is used to further reinforce the symbol of purity in the land. In a way the two short stories are parallel to each other and are also a commentary of the times when each of the stories was written. Although pregnancy out of wedlock is an issue that is scorned upon even now, the action of the male characters in each of the two stories reflects their respective periods of time. The indifference of the American in the “Hills Like a White Elephant” and his priority to make his life easier heavily contrasts to the more contemplative Lane who seemed to empathize with Sheri in Good People. Lane is willing to accept Sheri’s decision not to go for the abortion despite the future hardships that the decision may have on him. It is also revealed in the “Hills Like a White Elephant” that Jig tends to be submissive due to the nature of the times that she lived in. In Good People, throe is a change of this due to the changing in the lifestyle of people and the changing priorities and how women are viewed. Sheri therefore comes out as someone who is defiant and is able to make his own decisions and take her own stand. In essence, each of the short stories tries to evaluate the roles of male and female characters in a relationship. This in turn, transcends to a much greater encompassing theme of the gender roles in different time periods.     Works Cited Mays, K. The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York: McGraw Hill, 2012. Print. Read More