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Hills Like White Elephants: Dialogue Subtext
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“The girl stood up and walked to the end of the station.
She's feeling restless and possibly contemplating her future and the decision she faces.
“Could we have another beer?”
He's seeking a distraction from the tension-filled conversation about their relationship and her pregnancy.
“But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and you’ll like it?”
She's questioning whether their relationship can actually return to normal post-abortion as he promises, or if it's irrevocably changed.
“We can have everything.”
He's trying to reassure her (and perhaps himself) that the abortion won't change their carefree lifestyle.
“Would you please please please please please please please stop talking?”
Her repeated plea indicates exasperation and a desire to end a conversation that's causing her emotional pain.
“They look like white elephants,” she said.
She's expressing her boredom and hinting at the unspoken tension between them.
“I’ve never seen one,” the man drank his beer.
He's avoiding the deeper discussion she's trying to initiate; focusing on literal meaning to avoid conflict.
“No, we can’t.”
She disagrees and is likely feeling that the abortion will take away their innocence or change their relationship fundamentally.
“I love you now. You know I love you.”
He's assuring her of his feelings, but the present tense suggests his love is contingent on the current situation.
“There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine.”
She's deflecting his implied concerns about her well-being or her capability to make a decision, asserting her strength.
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