Dear Mr. Hemingway, I have often wonder how much of a writer is actually in the work he or she writes? After reading your short story titled " The Hills Like White Elephants" I see how writers can apply themselves to a character or setting. The story takes place in Spain a place where you came to love. You once said that its was straight and direct. But in you're telling of the story you weren't staight and direct. It was the total opposite of the place you fell in love with. I was left with more questions than answers. The relationship between the couple was bittersweet. I came to this conclusion when you made reference to the licorice and the drink, absinthe. This mirrors the relationship between you and Agnes. When Agnes wrote a letter explaining how she really felt and how much you and her disagreed on so many things. The relationships with the women in your life have left a bittersweet taste in your mouth for women. In the story Jig has no say in the operation she is going to recieved. Jig is led to believed it's a simple operation and their life would be better after it. In conclusion I see how one's experiences can influence the stories they write.
Dear Grandpa Ern, Grandpa Ern, how I wish I could have known more about you, asked you questions about your past such as. How did you discover you first wanted to write? Why did Nana dress you up like a girl and call you “Ernestine”. How much older was Agnes Von Kurowsky of Washington DC? What really happened between you and Harry Hinmarsh? What was his reasoning for calling you spoiled? When you moved to France, did that really inspire you to write your first novel “The Sun Also Rises” in 1926? Grandpa if I could I would turn back the hands of time and meet you at your house in Ketchum before you took your life away on July 2, 1961. I know you were unhappy and depressed about life, but maybe you just needed a shoulder; I would have gladly given you mine. Oh Grandpa why were things unfortunate for you, I wish I could have been there to make your sun rise. Right now you’re in heaven where you belong with Papa Clarence, Aunt Ursula, Aunt Leiceste and Margaux. I Love You, Mariel Hemingway
Dear Ernie, Darling its been so long, I've thought about you so much lately. I've matured and realized love has no age limit. I loved you and I wish I realized it then when you were still in my life. Im writing you to tell you this because its better late then never, Right? I seen in the Toronto Star after an article you wrote you married a woman named Hadley, well Congratulations! Im glad your happy. Also I see your in Paris now, Wow that doesnt even seem suit for you Im sure it was your wife's idea. I'm glad to see your writing you always had a way with words. I read your story "The Hills like White Elephants" I can really connect it seems their relationship was so distant due to there situation and I feel like ours was as well because I couldnt get past the fact you were so young. I appreciate you loving me and I will never forget you Ernest. Hope all is well when you receive this letter. Love, Angus
Dear Ernest, I have been wondering why you wrote the story titled "The Hills Like White Elephants". I found the story to be confusing and depressing. Did something like this happen to you? Was there someone in your life that was pregnant and you did not wish for them to have a child? Maybe it is because of your mom. It seems to me that she really did not want to have just you when you were born, she wanted twins instead. I really believe that here actions during your childhood are what lead you to such a tragic death. She was unhappy she wanted a musical career that she could not pursue because of you kids. She also wanted twins that she did not get thats why you were forced to be dressed like a girl. I think it is really unfair that because of your moms unhappiness you were forced to be unhappy as well.
Dear Ernie It’s me! Your old buddy Roman, remember? I’m the soldier you saved during the war. What’s going on? I hope life is treating you well. I never got a chance to thank you for that day. You saved my life, and I am forever grateful. Anyway, I recently read your story “Hills like white elephants,” and while reading your story, I remembered the stories you told me while you where trying to keep me conscious on our way to the hospital, and one of the stories I remembered was about your mother, how she used to tell you that you are the reason why she is not a “star” I realized that in a small way that woman in the story was your mother. She’s on way to get an “operation,” However it seems to me that she’s conflicted with the idea, and is really not sure what she wants to do. Do you feel that your mother had the same feeling regarding you? Hey Ernie, I just want you to know that I’m here for you. If there is anything that you need, please feel free to write to me, or better yet come for a visit. I’m still in Italy. Hope to hear for you soon.
Dear Mr.Hemingway, I'm writing to you in admiration. Your stories are always well written in my opinion. Just recently i have read "The Hills Like White Elephants", a very interesting piece. I like the fact that in the story you don't just come right out and say what the two characters are doing. I love stories where you have to think a little bit and piece things together. It allows me to practice my interpertation and comprehension skills. I really enjoyed the story, even though it wasn't about the best subject in the world. it was written extremely well none the less. I have a question for you. Do you think that you are so masculine because, you was dressed like a girl until the age of six. So now you exude masculinity.Maybe thats the reason why you enjoy hunting and fishing as much as you do. Mr. Hemingway just wanted to write you and let you know that i really appreciate your work.
Dear Mr. Hemingway As part of my course requirements for Intro to Literature 30 we viewed a biography of your life and where also asked to read one of your many short stories entitled “Hills Like White Elephants” Its amazing how one can appreciate ones art on a much deeper level once one is familiar with ones culture and inspiration.
Upon the first reading I was a little uncertain as to the theme and conflict, which confused what I had taken as the mood, while the setting and characterization were both highlighted. I did not realize that the procedure that the women would receive was an abortion. Upon second reading I felt as though it was a well written fascinating short.
As an artist in many different sense of the word I must admit that I admire your style of writing. The creativity, the passion, the wording and themes are timeless.
Thanks for taking the time to read my letter. Also, thanks in advance for the enjoyment, excitement and conversation I will receive from my future readings of your work.
Dear Ernest Hemingway: It took me a while but I finally understood what one of your short stories was all about. The Hills like White Elephants, is by far one of the most confusing yet interesting stories I’ve ever read. I literally had to read it over, line – by – line, in order to understand what was going on between the main protagonists. I like how you managed to make the story seem like it could be about multiple topics. I like the use of Irony & Foreshadowing on lines like “I think it’s the best thing to do, but I don’t want you to do it if you didn’t want to. But I know it’s perfectly simple”. I was lead to beleive that the story has to be about a girl losing her virginity to a man she really wants to be with. Hell I still feel like it’s about that, but after reading over other lines, I noticed you used lines pointing to “simple operation”. In my opinion that has to have something to do with either a sex change, doesn’t seem possible during that time, or maybe… It seem like it was an abortion. Haven’t really done that much research about abortion but I do believe during the time of this writing, the 1920’s, abortions where the talk of the states. This story still leaves room for arguments with most readers because it doesn’t get to the point. I wish to continue my research on this one story that’s still driving me crazy reading and see what I overlooked. Sincerely, Derrick Whitsett Student at Kingsborough Community College English 30 Spring 2008
Dear Mr. Hemingway, Well, let me first start off by commending you on your literary works. When reading "The Hills Like wHITE eLEPHANTS", i LOVE THAT THE FACT THAT YOU DID NOT BRING EVERYTHING OUT ON THE TABLE, YOU open our minds and make us, the readers think, and thinking is how we expand our minds and learn more. you not only "wruite just to write" like many others do, but you write to teach us. You give people inspiration. there are many that perhaps strive to reach your element of work, they will never get there but you should feel impressed to know that you help people reach their full potential. Your work fascinates me. It is also amazing that there are people that might have not read your work, but when they here the name "Hemingway", they immediately know who you are. That is how important you are, so important that many refer to you as "the father of literarture".
I am writing to advise you what a peak of interest you have created in my inner being after reading your short story "The Hills like White Elephants. After learning more about you and your past I have come to reasoning that you are way beyond trying to accommodate people and their beliefs. You are a true inspiration in the aspect that you truly believed in yourself when others doubted you. A comment that you made clearly replays itself in my head “Write the truest sentence you know”. This comment has become so impacting in my life since I heard you say it in your biography.
While reading “The Hills like White Elephants” you established a sense of drama towards the reader intriguing the reader to continue reading in order to finish the story, which was full of suspense. In order for the reader to understand what was going on this story the reader must have an open-mind and a logic way of thinking. I truly loved your story and the fact that you didn’t give the plot away and made the reader second-guess what the story was about. After careful review of the characters, I was able to know exactly what you wanted me as the reader to grasp. I want to thank you for helping me expand my way of thinking and making me have to consider all possibilities to make a distinctive conclusion. I would also enjoy reading more of your stories in the future. Thanks again for taking the time and showing importance to my letter.
In your short story "Hills Like White Elephants", you describe alot of things as metaphors. For example, the hills that you describe as 'long and white' looking like 'white elephabts' portray the operation- abortion and the other side, the 'fields of grain and trees...' are really Jig's desire to keep the baby. So nature=no abortion, and barren=unnatural/abortion. To Jig, you are saying, that an abortion is unnatural which makes me think that you are a person of controversy. You probably debate whether it is right to have an abortion or not. Also, you illustrate nature as positive, and the barren as negative, which shos your fondess of nature. Your story also points out the couples' relationship as conflicting and full of tension. Their attitudes towards each other are basically argumentative and indecisive. Is this a clue you give us about your own personal experiences in relationships? Is the American's careless approaches to the girl a way you feel about women? Based upon your background of you taking part in WWI during which people's attitudes were cynical and without grace, I think that your story displays the same attitude as well, specifically the American not addressing neither Jig nor the woman from the bar properly. This is an example of ill-manneredness. In addition, the way in which the woman from the bar served the foreigners without any polite welcome also demonstrates your aspect of taking part in the war with people lacking manners. To me, your story "Hills Like White Elephants" reflects your love of nature, cynical attitude, and hidden meaning within words using metaphors.
For someone to state that your writing style is a rather unique one would be an enormous understatement. Your use of context clues within your stories that often hint at the plot and sometimes making the reader make their own assumption about the meanings of certain things is an excellent ploy that keeps the reader guessing, and therefore keeps their attention. Be it that no two people are exactly alike, one person’s perception of a given situation can be totally different from another. That being said, in the short story “Hills Like White Elephants”, I got the perception that the operation that the couple had a discussion about was an abortion. I came to this conclusion from many minor, and some major clues about it being a life changing operation, if in fact they went through with it. Another person could’ve took the same clues and made an assumption of a totally opposite nature. I enjoy reading your work as it makes you contemplate different scenarios, and there is no definite answer. Being able to have your reader in deep thought is a great gift. You’re style is one that is often imitated but never duplicated.
"Here this fellow that calls himself The Misfit is aloose from the Federal Pen and headed toward Florida and you read here what it says he did to these people. Just you read it. I wouldn't take my children in any direction with a criminal like that aloose in it. I couldn't answer to my conscience if I did."
This quote is taken from the narrative, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find". The author of the quote is Bailey's mother.
Some people are very opportunistic, they often prey on suitable occasions to shy. When dealing with this kind of people, someone has to be very careful in determining if there is anything positive that can be gained from the advice.
As obvious in the story, Baily's mother used the Misfit scenario to discourage Bailey from going to Florida in order for him to go to Tennessee; because she wanted to visit family and friends there. The advice is great, she cared for her family and wanted nothing bad happen to them. But at the same time, she had a motif---visiting Tennessee. Unfortunately, Baily did not listen to his mother advice. As a result,the lives of the entire family were lost.
The lesson that can be learned from the story is, when someone advises you to do something or not to do something, do not often think of what the person is going to gain through the advice, think instead of how little you will benefit from it(if it's big, it's even better). Do not worry how big the person is going to win.
Like five years ago I wanted to buy a used car, but I was not sure what kind of car to purchase for a reasonable price; so I saw a 2000- car online and decided to let my friend(he has knowledge in auto mechanics) assist me into looking at it. When we arrived in New Jersey and after inspecting the vehicle, he advised me not buy the car by telling me later all the bad things about that type of cars and promised me that he had a better deal for me. As a friend, I trusted his judgement and decided to buy another vehicle from him. Fortunately, the car turned out to be a durable car, which I am still driving with no problems,except doing regular things that must be performed on all vehicles.
The way I understand the situation, the 2000-car that I saw might not have had no problem, but since my friend wanted to sell his car, he advised me not to buy the other car. After analyzing the whole scenario, I realized that it would have been a safer bet buying my friend's car; since he knows about meachanics. My friend might have been happier than me making the deal selling the car, but I am also happy because I have obtained something durable for my money. It is also a good decision from my part in disregarding the real reason behind my friend's advice to me.
The same way I believe if Bailey had listened to his mother carefully, diresgarding her motif behind the warning (advice), the entire family would not have been perished.
15 comments:
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I have often wonder how much of a writer is actually in the work he or she writes? After reading your short story titled " The Hills Like White Elephants" I see how writers can apply themselves to a character or setting.
The story takes place in Spain a place where you came to love. You once said that its was straight and direct. But in you're telling of the story you weren't staight and direct. It was the total opposite of the place you fell in love with. I was left with more questions than answers.
The relationship between the couple was bittersweet. I came to this conclusion when you made reference to the licorice and the drink, absinthe. This mirrors the relationship between you and Agnes. When Agnes wrote a letter explaining how she really felt and how much you and her disagreed on so many things.
The relationships with the women in your life have left a bittersweet taste in your mouth for women. In the story Jig has no say in the operation she is going to recieved. Jig is led to believed it's a simple operation and their life would be better after it.
In conclusion I see how one's experiences can influence the stories they write.
March 11, 2008
Dear Grandpa Ern,
Grandpa Ern, how I wish I could have known more about you, asked you questions about your past such as. How did you discover you first wanted to write? Why did Nana dress you up like a girl and call you “Ernestine”. How much older was Agnes Von Kurowsky of Washington DC? What really happened between you and Harry Hinmarsh? What was his reasoning for calling you spoiled? When you moved to France, did that really inspire you to write your first novel “The Sun Also Rises” in 1926? Grandpa if I could I would turn back the hands of time and meet you at your house in Ketchum before you took your life away on July 2, 1961. I know you were unhappy and depressed about life, but maybe you just needed a shoulder; I would have gladly given you mine. Oh Grandpa why were things unfortunate for you, I wish I could have been there to make your sun rise. Right now you’re in heaven where you belong with Papa Clarence, Aunt Ursula, Aunt Leiceste and Margaux.
I Love You,
Mariel Hemingway
Dear Ernie,
Darling its been so long, I've thought about you so much lately. I've matured and realized love has no age limit. I loved you and I wish I realized it then when you were still in my life. Im writing you to tell you this because its better late then never, Right? I seen in the Toronto Star after an article you wrote you married a woman named Hadley, well Congratulations! Im glad your happy. Also I see your in Paris now, Wow that doesnt even seem suit for you Im sure it was your wife's idea. I'm glad to see your writing you always had a way with words. I read your story "The Hills like White Elephants" I can really connect it seems their relationship was so distant due to there situation and I feel like ours was as well because I couldnt get past the fact you were so young. I appreciate you loving me and I will never forget you Ernest. Hope all is well when you receive this letter.
Love,
Angus
Dear Ernest,
I have been wondering why you wrote the story titled "The Hills Like White Elephants". I found the story to be confusing and depressing. Did something like this happen to you? Was there someone in your life that was pregnant and you did not wish for them to have a child? Maybe it is because of your mom. It seems to me that she really did not want to have just you when you were born, she wanted twins instead. I really believe that here actions during your childhood are what lead you to such a tragic death. She was unhappy she wanted a musical career that she could not pursue because of you kids. She also wanted twins that she did not get thats why you were forced to be dressed like a girl. I think it is really unfair that because of your moms unhappiness you were forced to be unhappy as well.
Dear Ernie
It’s me! Your old buddy Roman, remember? I’m the soldier you saved during the war. What’s going on? I hope life is treating you well. I never got a chance to thank you for that day. You saved my life, and I am forever grateful. Anyway, I recently read your story “Hills like white elephants,” and while reading your story, I remembered the stories you told me while you where trying to keep me conscious on our way to the hospital, and one of the stories I remembered was about your mother, how she used to tell you that you are the reason why she is not a “star” I realized that in a small way that woman in the story was your mother. She’s on way to get an “operation,” However it seems to me that she’s conflicted with the idea, and is really not sure what she wants to do. Do you feel that your mother had the same feeling regarding you? Hey Ernie, I just want you to know that I’m here for you. If there is anything that you need, please feel free to write to me, or better yet come for a visit. I’m still in Italy. Hope to hear for you soon.
Friend for life
Roman
Dear Mr.Hemingway,
I'm writing to you in admiration. Your stories are always well written in my opinion. Just recently i have read "The Hills Like White Elephants", a very interesting piece. I like the fact that in the story you don't just come right out and say what the two characters are doing. I love stories where you have to think a little bit and piece things together. It allows me to practice my interpertation and comprehension skills. I really enjoyed the story, even though it wasn't about the best subject in the world. it was written extremely well none the less.
I have a question for you. Do you think that you are so masculine because, you was dressed like a girl until the age of six. So now you exude masculinity.Maybe thats the reason why you enjoy hunting and fishing as much as you do.
Mr. Hemingway just wanted to write you and let you know that i really appreciate your work.
Thanks for your time,
Tyiger
Dear Mr. Hemingway
As part of my course requirements for Intro to Literature 30 we viewed a biography of your life and where also asked to read one of your many short stories entitled “Hills Like White Elephants” Its amazing how one can appreciate ones art on a much deeper level once one is familiar with ones culture and inspiration.
Upon the first reading I was a little uncertain as to the theme and conflict, which confused what I had taken as the mood, while the setting and characterization were both highlighted. I did not realize that the procedure that the women would receive was an abortion. Upon second reading I felt as though it was a well written fascinating short.
As an artist in many different sense of the word I must admit that I admire your style of writing. The creativity, the passion, the wording and themes are timeless.
Thanks for taking the time to read my letter. Also, thanks in advance for the enjoyment, excitement and conversation I will receive from my future readings of your work.
Frank Torres
March 14, 2008
Dear Ernest Hemingway:
It took me a while but I finally understood what one of your short stories was all about. The Hills like White Elephants, is by far one of the most confusing yet interesting stories I’ve ever read. I literally had to read it over, line – by – line, in order to understand what was going on between the main protagonists. I like how you managed to make the story seem like it could be about multiple topics. I like the use of Irony & Foreshadowing on lines like “I think it’s the best thing to do, but I don’t want you to do it if you didn’t want to. But I know it’s perfectly simple”.
I was lead to beleive that the story has to be about a girl losing her virginity to a man she really wants to be with. Hell I still feel like it’s about that, but after reading over other lines, I noticed you used lines pointing to “simple operation”. In my opinion that has to have something to do with either a sex change, doesn’t seem possible during that time, or maybe… It seem like it was an abortion. Haven’t really done that much research about abortion but I do believe during the time of this writing, the 1920’s, abortions where the talk of the states. This story still leaves room for arguments with most readers because it doesn’t get to the point. I wish to continue my research on this one story that’s still driving me crazy reading and see what I overlooked.
Sincerely,
Derrick Whitsett
Student at Kingsborough Community College
English 30 Spring 2008
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Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Well, let me first start off by commending you on your literary works. When reading "The Hills Like wHITE eLEPHANTS", i LOVE THAT THE FACT THAT YOU DID NOT BRING EVERYTHING OUT ON THE TABLE, YOU open our minds and make us, the readers think, and thinking is how we expand our minds and learn more. you not only "wruite just to write" like many others do, but you write to teach us.
You give people inspiration. there are many that perhaps strive to reach your element of work, they will never get there but you should feel impressed to know that you help people reach their full potential.
Your work fascinates me. It is also amazing that there are people that might have not read your work, but when they here the name "Hemingway", they immediately know who you are. That is how important you are, so important that many refer to you as "the father of literarture".
Thanks alot
Nisha
Dear Mr. Hemmingway,
I am writing to advise you what a peak of interest you have created in my inner being after reading your short story "The Hills like White Elephants. After learning more about you and your past I have come to reasoning that you are way beyond trying to accommodate people and their beliefs. You are a true inspiration in the aspect that you truly believed in yourself when others doubted you. A comment that you made clearly replays itself in my head “Write the truest sentence you know”. This comment has become so impacting in my life since I heard you say it in your biography.
While reading “The Hills like White Elephants” you established a sense of drama towards the reader intriguing the reader to continue reading in order to finish the story, which was full of suspense. In order for the reader to understand what was going on this story the reader must have an open-mind and a logic way of thinking. I truly loved your story and the fact that you didn’t give the plot away and made the reader second-guess what the story was about. After careful review of the characters, I was able to know exactly what you wanted me as the reader to grasp. I want to thank you for helping me expand my way of thinking and making me have to consider all possibilities to make a distinctive conclusion. I would also enjoy reading more of your stories in the future. Thanks again for taking the time and showing importance to my letter.
Yours Truly,
Yahaira
Dear Ernest,
In your short story "Hills Like White Elephants", you describe alot of things as metaphors. For example, the hills that you describe as 'long and white' looking like 'white elephabts' portray the operation- abortion and the other side, the 'fields of grain and trees...' are really Jig's desire to keep the baby. So nature=no abortion, and barren=unnatural/abortion. To Jig, you are saying, that an abortion is unnatural which makes me think that you are a person of controversy. You probably debate whether it is right to have an abortion or not. Also, you illustrate nature as positive, and the barren as negative, which shos your fondess of nature. Your story also points out the couples' relationship as conflicting and full of tension. Their attitudes towards each other are basically argumentative and indecisive. Is this a clue you give us about your own personal experiences in relationships? Is the American's careless approaches to the girl a way you feel about women? Based upon your background of you taking part in WWI during which people's attitudes were cynical and without grace, I think that your story displays the same attitude as well, specifically the American not addressing neither Jig nor the woman from the bar properly. This is an example of ill-manneredness. In addition, the way in which the woman from the bar served the foreigners without any polite welcome also demonstrates your aspect of taking part in the war with people lacking manners. To me, your story "Hills Like White Elephants" reflects your love of nature, cynical attitude, and hidden meaning within words using metaphors.
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
For someone to state that your writing style is a rather unique one would be an enormous understatement. Your use of context clues within your stories that often hint at the plot and sometimes making the reader make their own assumption about the meanings of certain things is an excellent ploy that keeps the reader guessing, and therefore keeps their attention. Be it that no two people are exactly alike, one person’s perception of a given situation can be totally different from another. That being said, in the short story “Hills Like White Elephants”, I got the perception that the operation that the couple had a discussion about was an abortion. I came to this conclusion from many minor, and some major clues about it being a life changing operation, if in fact they went through with it. Another person could’ve took the same clues and made an assumption of a totally opposite nature. I enjoy reading your work as it makes you contemplate different scenarios, and there is no definite answer. Being able to have your reader in deep thought is a great gift. You’re style is one that is often imitated but never duplicated.
Yours Truly,
Darnell
"Here this fellow that calls himself The Misfit is aloose from the Federal Pen and headed toward Florida and you read here what it says he did to these people. Just you read it. I wouldn't take my children in any direction with a criminal like that aloose in it. I couldn't answer to my conscience if I did."
This quote is taken from the narrative, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find". The author of the quote is Bailey's mother.
Some people are very opportunistic, they often prey on suitable occasions to shy. When dealing with this kind of people, someone has to be very careful in determining if there is anything positive that can be gained from the advice.
As obvious in the story, Baily's mother used the Misfit scenario to discourage Bailey from going to Florida in order for him to go to Tennessee; because she wanted to visit family and friends there. The advice is great, she cared for her family and wanted nothing bad happen to them. But at the same time, she had a motif---visiting Tennessee. Unfortunately, Baily did not listen to his mother advice. As a result,the lives of the entire family were lost.
The lesson that can be learned from the story is, when someone advises you to do something or not to do something, do not often think of what the person is going to gain through the advice, think instead of how little you will benefit from it(if it's big, it's even better). Do not worry how big the person is going to win.
Like five years ago I wanted to buy a used car, but I was not sure what kind of car to purchase for a reasonable price; so I saw a 2000- car online and decided to let my friend(he has knowledge in auto mechanics) assist me into looking at it. When we arrived in New Jersey and after inspecting the vehicle, he advised me not buy the car by telling me later all the bad things about that type of cars and promised me that he had a better deal for me. As a friend, I trusted his judgement and decided to buy another vehicle from him. Fortunately, the car turned out to be a durable car, which I am still driving with no problems,except doing regular things that must be performed on all vehicles.
The way I understand the situation, the 2000-car that I saw might not have had no problem, but since my friend wanted to sell his car, he advised me not to buy the other car. After analyzing the whole scenario, I realized that it would have been a safer bet buying my friend's car; since he knows about meachanics. My friend might have been happier than me making the deal selling the car, but I am also happy because I have obtained something durable for my money. It is also a good decision from my part in disregarding the real reason behind my friend's advice to me.
The same way I believe if Bailey had listened to his mother carefully, diresgarding her motif behind the warning (advice), the entire family would not have been perished.
Eddy
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