In "Hills Like White Elephants" Ernest Hemingway relies on symbolism to convey the theme of abortion. The symbolic material objects, as well as the strong symbolic characters, aid the reader’s understanding of the underlying theme. The material objects that Hemingway uses to convey the theme are beer, the good and bad hillsides, and a railroad station between two tracks. The beer represents the couple’s, "the American" and "the girl’s", usual routine activity …showed first 75 words of 911 total…

…showed last 75 words of 911 total…device of the theme in that she the opposite image of what the girl is. The woman further defines the symbolic qualities of the girl, in other words. In conclusion, the theme of abortion is conveyed accurately by Hemingway and is done very well. This reader believes that because of the strong symbolism in the characters, as well as the material objects, the theme was conveyed to the audience with entertainment, ease, understanding, and brilliance.