Open-Ended Questions



Open-Ended Questions

“Hills Like White Elephants”

1. Looking back on the story, list the evidence that tells what kind of operation Jig is confronting. How risky is it physically and emotionally? 

2. Are you surprised that this story was written by a man? Why or why not?

3. How do the hills in the story spotlight Jig's decision? How does Jig see the setting as symbolic of her choices?

4. How does the fact that Jig sees the setting symbolically get us to identify with her more readily than if the author had suggested the symbolism to us directly? Note the symbolism of the two different landscapes on either side of the Zaragosa train station, plus the possible symbolism of the curtain, as suggested in the commentary beside the story.

5. Hemingway once suggested that his purpose in such a story is to tell the reader as little as possible directly yet to reveal characters' motives and their conflict. How does this principle operate in this story? Where would you like to have more information (besides "he said" and "she said")?

6. Lewis Weeks, Jr., claimed in 1980 that "although subject, setting, point of view, characterization, dialog, irony, and compression all make 'Hills Like White Elephants' one of Hemingway's most brilliant short stories, the symbolism implicit in the title and developed in the story contributes more than any other single quality to the powerful impact."  Agree with any part of this statement in detail, quoting relevant phrases from the story as needed.

Multiple Choice Questions “Hills Like White Elephants”

1. The opening description of the scenery serves primarily to

a. appeal to potential tourists and travelers.

b. appeal to readers’ love of vivid sensory detail.

c. introduce the story’s setting.

d. suggest a symbolic reading of the story-showing two contrasting attitudes to life.

e. hint at the hot climate.

2. The eleven lines of dialogue starting at “It’s pretty hot” and ending at “No, you wouldn’t have” most likely are meant to

a. introduce readers to Spanish vocabulary.

b. suggest the waitress’s deep interest in her two customers.

c. suggest some tension between the American and the girl.

d. show the girl’s fascination with the countryside.

e. suggest the girl’s familiarity with exotic animals.

3. The exchange beginning “The man called ‘Listen’” and ending at “Yes, with water” is most likely intended to

a. show that the girl does not understand Spanish.

b. demonstrate how the girl takes charge of the drink orders.

c. prove that the man and the girl see eye to eye.

d. indicate that the barwoman always repeats herself.

e. give readers a feel for the “Spanish” flavor of the story.

4. When the American says, “Oh, cut it out,” he is most likely showing

a. resentment at the girl’s bitter attitude toward their life together.

b. comic amusement in her taste of liquor.

c. a tender suggestion that she use her knife to open the bottle.

d. irony of her objection to the flavor of the drink.

e. indifference to her appraisal of their life together.

5. In the context of the entire passage, why does the American bring up “the operation” when he does?

a. He is looking for something to talk about.

b. He has been waiting for the girl to get into a more receptive mood.

c. He has been trying to organize his thoughts.

d. He doesn’t want to distract her from viewing the landscape.

e. He needed to have a drink first.

Answer Key

The correct answer is identified with a double asterick.**

The distracter is identified with a single asterisk. *

1. The opening description of the scenery serves primarily to

a. appeal to potential tourists and travelers.

b. appeal to readers’ love of vivid sensory detail.

c. introduce the story’s setting.*

d. suggest a symbolic reading of the story-showing two contrasting attitudes to life.**

e. hint at the hot climate.

2. The eleven lines of dialogue starting at “It’s pretty hot” and ending at “No, you wouldn’t have” most likely are meant to

a. introduce readers to Spanish vocabulary.

b. suggest the waitress’s deep interest in her two customers.

c. suggest some tension between the American and the girl.**

d. show the girl’s fascination with the countryside. *

e. suggest the girl’s familiarity with exotic animals.

3. The exchange beginning “The man called ‘Listen’” and ending at “Yes, with water” is most likely intended to

a. show that the girl does not understand Spanish.**

b. demonstrate how the girl takes charge of the drink orders.

c. prove that the man and the girl see eye to eye.

d. indicate that the barwoman always repeats herself.

e. give readers a feel for the “Spanish” flavor of the story.*

4. When the American says, “Oh, cut it out,” he is most likely showing

a. resentment at the girl’s bitter attitude toward their life together.**

b. comic amusement in her taste of liquor.

c. a tender suggestion that she use her knife to open the bottle.

d. irony of her objection to the flavor of the drink.

e. indifference to her appraisal of their life together.

5. In the context of the entire passage, why does the American bring up “the operation” when he does?

a. He is looking for something to talk about.

b. He has been waiting for the girl to get into a more receptive mood.**

c. He has been trying to organize his thoughts.*

d. He doesn’t want to distract her from viewing the landscape.

e. He needed to have a drink first.

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