The white elephants in this short story represent the "white elephant" that is the couple's relationship. They feel that their relationship has become a burden, so they wish to have it removed. However, the operation will only return them to the way things were before they had a child, and since they are unhappy now, having the baby will not necessarily make them happy again.

The American man’s love for Jig is conditional. He says that he loves her, but implies that his love will end if she does not have an abortion. This shows how their relationship is troubled and based on emotional manipulation. It is reflective of Hemingway’s modernist perspective on relationships in the post-WWI world.

The Spanish railroad crossing setting underscores themes of isolation and decision-making urgency. The barren, surreal landscape reflects the characters' emotional desolation and the transient, aimless nature of their lifestyle. The "express train" symbolizes the looming, irreversible decision about abortion, adding suspense with a "ticking clock." This setting highlights their existential solitude, emphasizing the girl's awareness that the decision will permanently affect their lives, despite the man's insistence on its necessity.

The setting in "Hills Like White Elephants" is significant as it reflects the couple's conflict. The story takes place at a train station between two tracks, symbolizing the crossroads and tension in their relationship. The barren landscape contrasts with the fertile river valley, mirroring their decision about the pregnancy and the potential paths their lives could take.

In his short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” Hemingway includes literal hills that resemble white elephants in order to help the reader figure out what is being discussed: an abortion. The young couple consisting of Jig (a girl) and her boyfriend known as the American man discuss—but never state—the medical procedure like an “elephant in the room.” The unborn child is a burden like a “white elephant” that would end their carefree, nomadic existence.

The contradictory element in "Hills Like White Elephants" lies in the couple's conversation about abortion, where their words and feelings diverge. The man suggests it's the woman's choice, yet pressures her to abort, believing it will restore freedom. Conversely, the woman, Jig, understands they can't "have everything" and that choices have irreversible consequences. This tension between spoken words and true emotions highlights the complexities of their relationship and Hemingway's skillful narrative style.

In "Hills Like White Elephants," Hemingway uses symbolism, dialogue, and setting to explore the theme of communication and choice. The white elephants symbolize the unborn child and the burden of the decision, while the sparse dialogue reflects the couple's inability to communicate effectively. The contrasting landscapes represent the diverging paths and choices they face.

Hemingway provides minimal past life information about characters to focus on the "eternal present," immersing readers directly in the moment. This technique reflects the post-World War I "lost generation," capturing their sense of aimlessness and isolation. By avoiding detailed backstories, Hemingway creates universal characters, like the "everyman," enabling readers to relate more closely to their present struggles and emotions without forming preconceived judgments based on past events.

In "Hills Like White Elephants," Hemingway uses white elephants as a symbol of something unwanted or burdensome, subtly referring to the couple's dilemma about an abortion. His purpose is to explore themes of communication and the complexities of relationships, using sparse dialogue and symbolism to convey deeper emotional undercurrents and the tension between the characters.

The phrase "awfully simple operation" in "Hills Like White Elephants" signifies the man's attempt to downplay the seriousness of the abortion to convince the woman. The repetition of the word "simple" underscores his dismissal of her emotional and physical concerns, highlighting the communication gap and differing perspectives between the characters.