The Yellow Wallpaper

When I first started reading The Yellow Wallpaper, it was hard not to link the story of the main character to the treatment of mental illness in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries; because like the main character people in that time period were placed into private safe havens that were owned and operated by physicians who cared for them. Furthermore, the person who often placed them into this home was usually a family member who feared for their safety. Because mentality ill people were viewed as a threat to public safety at the time, and many did not know what to do with them.  Moreover, the treatment of mentality ill people in today’s society is still in its development phases because we still don’t fully understand mental illness.

Hills Like White Elephants

When I first started reading “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, it took me a while to catch on to their conversation, but when I did everything became clear. When the main character stated the hills resemble white elephants she wasn’t talking about a real white elephant; she was actually referring to the future.  Moreover, one could argue that the main character was unhappy with their relationship, and this was made obvious by her attitude. Throughout the story the two main characters were chatting about an operation, which the woman of the story was second guessing. The procedure was never stated, but it is obvious that it was an abortion. This was made apparent by the remarks that were made throughout the story.  What do you guys think white elephants symbolizes?