The Cries of a Woman - Research Paper Example

Hemingway’s approach of writing style conceals the significance of the tale revealing the interactions involving men and women of the time, which is symptomatic of a patriarchal society. On the surface, Hemmingway's narrative gives the notion that this couple has mixed feelings over what to do regarding a pregnancy. Through Jig readers realize there is no resolution left to be achieved within the community of 1930's, as society during this time is rigid. The societal composition of this time disregards the capability of females to make such choices individually.

Pro-choice was not also a concept during this era, marked by male dominance in the legal and societal scene (Rankin 234). It would be a while before females would in fact empower to decide with their bodies and future. Jig is denied freedom of choice and this has left her in her circumstances. Her absolute reliance upon the American has bestowed him the power over her to act, as he desires (Hemingway 232). Sadly, Jig would encompass many years before the condition would revolutionize. Hemingway creates a female character who is remarkable and who has her opinion, even though she does not have a say in her future as well as her imminent abortion.

When Jig comments about the hills at the other side of the station and says they look like white elephants, the American disregards her view. This is the girl’s way of suggesting the true emotions regarding her dilemma, which she remains incapable of communicating straightforwardly to the American. The man cannot put himself in her place and thus replies to her thought about the white elephants by saying “I’ve never seen one” and her sardonic reply is “No, you wouldn’t have” (Hemmingway 229) He describes the abortion as a very easy procedure, he says “it’s not really an operation at all…It’s just to let the air in” (Hemingway 230).

When Jig enquires about what would ensue after the abortion, and whether they would be happy, the man retorts in an affirmative manner and says that he had known many people who had done it. Jig holds up her end of the unpleasant conversation, although she appears resigned to what the American believes to be right, the abortion. Jig observations, attitude, and sarcasm create a female character who is fearful, angry, and entrapped by the wish for “things to be like they were” (Hemingway 230).

Jig is a credible woman struggling against a man whose swallow and self-centered wish is to have only her, but not their child and thus regarding abortion like the only possible answer. By agreeing to the man’s wish of an abortion, Jig represents the inferior part in the relationship. The man overly simplifies abortion as a painless operation and views the pregnancy as an obstacle to their relationship. The exchange reveal that the man wants their essentially swallow relationship to continues as it has and that Jig wants to move it to a firmer ground (Nolan 19).

Throughout the story, the man presents the rigid concept of masculinity; he is portrayed as a worldly, omniscient, knowledgeable and always in control of himself as well as the situation at hand. He is also cool and feigns indifference, for instance, when he tells Jig that he does not care whether she aborts the kid or not.