Question

How do the hills in the story spotlight jig’s decision? How does jig see the setting as symbolic of her choices

Answer 1

The hills symbolize Jig's internal conflict and the significant decision she faces, mirroring her desire for peace and stability against the backdrop of her emotional turmoil.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hills in the story act as a symbolic element, reflecting Jig's internal conflict and the magnitude of her decision. Jig's perception of the hills representing an 'unattainable calm' indicates her longing for peace and stability amid the emotional turbulence she is experiencing. By seeing the setting as symbolic, Jig is visualizing her choices and their potential outcomes in the physical landscape around her. The hills are metaphorically linked to her possible future — one path leading to the continuation of her current lifestyle and the other, like the untrodden heights, to a significant life change that could bring a different kind of serenity. The hills are described as 'bright, unattainable calm,' which reflects Jig's desire for a different life and the difficult choice she faces.

Answer 2

The hills in the story spotlight Jig's decision by showing her pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symbolism of the white elephants emphasizes the subject of the story.

The origin of the phrase "a white elephant," comes from Siam, now Thailand, where receiving an elephant as a gift was an honor, but maintaining it would be so expensive, even to the point to ruin the recipient. Therefore, a white elephant is a burden.

When the girl says that the hills look like white elephants and the man says he's never seen one, she answers, "No, you wouldn't have." In this case the hills represent female fertility, swollen abdomen, and breasts, she could be implying that he is not the type of person who would intentionally have a child.

But if we consider a "white elephant" as an unwanted item, she could also mean that he never accepts burdens he does not want.