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Use the settings in "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" and "Hills Like White Elephants" to compare the mindsets. 

The way I see it both settings play an important part in either foreshadowing ( "Hills...") or in enhancing (" What...") the characters mood and/or their inability to change.

In one story the characters are looking for privacy (outside) so they can talk things out; in the other they stay(inside) in a kitchen that slowly grows dimmer and dimmer so they don't have to face reality.

Thank you

PS: do you agree sullymonster?

I think you're dead on when it comes to "What . . .," but it's important to recognize the importance setting plays in enhancing "Hills" as well. The story takes place in at a "crossroads"; a couple are waiting to take a train. A train, like a choice, implies options -- one may go one direction, or choose another. This echoes the choice that the girl and the man are facing. Waiting on a platform is similar to pausing, or plateauing--they must decide what comes next.

It's also vital to examine the details Hemingway provides in terms of the natural world. We get imagery that is lush, growing, and fertile (Across, on the other side, were fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro. Far away, beyond the river, were mountains"), and are then offered contrasting view of the dry plain (" the girl looked across at the hills on the dry side of the valley and the man looked at her and at the table"). These contrasting views echo the choice that Jig must make--the choice to be barren, or to be fertile.

Hi there-  If you are looking for any help in the writing process of your compare-and-contrast paper, check out our page, "How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay":

http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-write-compare-contrast-essay

Good Luck! 

I do agree!  I would also add that the hills in "Hills Like White Elephants" represent the insurmountable obstacle the couple is currently facing - their reality.  It can't be ignored, as the hills can't be ignored.  Their is no fading light to hide the truth from their vision.

Has anybody read this blog on eNotes:

http://blogs.enotes.com/book-blog/2008-02/your-life-in-six-words/

The first sentence is this: Hemingway famously (or at least allegedly) wrote a six word story:  “For sale:  baby shoes, never worn.” 

Wouldn't it be interesting to use this in a lesson plan on "Hills...."?

In reply to #5:

Read it 'cause I wrote it! 

There is some basis in fact for this Hemingway story.  I believe it was Pauline that he was involved with who became pregnant and aborted the baby when he was divorcing Hadley.  (Or perhaps the other way 'round?)