Imageries and symbols in. Imagery and Symbolism Assignment.

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Imagery and Symbolism
Introduction
Imagery and symbolism are among the common elements used by writers to entice, highlight and insinuate deeper meanings of the points they pass through to readers. Imagery can be defined as writing elements such as metaphors or similes incorporated in writing to stir feelings and memories that appeal to readers' senses. Symbolism, on the other hand, is an element used in writing with hidden meaning. Symbolism helps the readers to expound further in their imagination to understand the deeper meaning of events, phrases or even objects used by the writer beyond their literal meaning. Ernest Hemmingway, the author of Hills Like White Elephants short story, incorporates several imagery elements in his work. This paper examines some of the notable aspects of imagery and symbolism in Hills Like White Elephants.
Symbolism and Imageries in Hills Like White Elephants
The symbol of white elephant
The most notable symbol in Hemmingway's short story is the white elephant. Besides appearing in the title, where it does project ideas in the stories to readers, it is also used to symbolize certain things. The symbol of white elephants is interpreted to have more than one meaning in the story. First, describing the hills beyond the station as white elephants can be interpreted to symbolize the destination where the two are heading to, which is beyond the station is indeed a white elephant. Historically, white elephants are interpreted as meaningless gifts that do not add value to the recipients. Going by the interpretation, therefore, it is convincible to argue that Hemmingway implied in his writing that whatever thing that the two could meet in their destination. In this case, Jig's pregnancy was like a white elephant to the two since both appeared to want to terminate it at first.
Secondly, the elephant element is also used to symbolize a substantial issue that needs to be discussed, which is whether or not to keep the pregnancy. Jig, however, shies away from discussing the issue of pregnancy and even claims that the hills do not appear like white elephants anymore. In this context, the author tries to connect the elephant figure in the story to a common cliché of "elephant in the room," which is normally used to mean the big issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, it appears that the author uses the elephant figure in the story to symbolize the pregnancy issues, which seems to be the main issue between the man and Jig.
Symbolism in the destination Madrid
Madrid, which is the destination where the man and Jig are heading to does presents elements of symbolism in the story. Historically, the term Madrid is believed to have come from a pre-Muslim word meaning water. The author's description of the railway station where the two are waiting for the train to arrive gives a clear picture that the place ...