Communication in relationships, especially in intimate romantic relationships, is very vital for the gradual maintenance of the bond between the two parties involved. Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemmingway presents the tale of a couple dealing with a breakdown in communication between them that threatens their relationship and prevents them from resolving the pressing issues between them. One such issue, although subtly implied rather than directly mentioned, is the abortion that the American wants but the girlfriend does not seem supportive of. Jig and the American struggle for a communications breakthrough in an effort to resolve the conflict in their relationship. everyone having different views and opinions. The story depicts a couple at a point of urgency in their relationship. They fight, in the open, to assert their opposing points of view on the direction their relationship should take. The narrative opens with the two main characters waiting for a train while trying to talk about the conflict and problems in their relationships. However, from the first moments, we can see that neither listens to the other and that there is a lack of listening and communication, which aggravates the existing crisis in their lives. Jig notes that the hills behind the station “…look like white elephants” and when her boyfriend states that he has never seen a white elephant, she responds rudely (Hemingway, 40). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Her rude response could be due to the pressure she feels from her boyfriend, the American, who insists for her to have an abortion like she is. pregnant with her child. He has shown no signs that he would like to marry her, and although she acts as if the subject of abortion does not bother her, she is very frightened and frustrated by it. So she unconsciously directs her frustrations, pressure and fears by being rude and not very engaged in conversation with her boyfriend. Fear and uncertainty about prospects, plans and the situation after the abortion are a factor that causes tension in the relationship between the two lovers. This tension manifests itself in the miscommunication seen in the rude, tense, and unproductive conversation between the two. Jig's main fear is whether she will be okay or the same after the surgery, as she asks, "So what will we do afterward?" "" and the American responds vaguely: "Everything will be fine afterwards, as before." He doesn't seem to address her fears that abortion might not be safe or how it would affect their relationship, whether it fails or succeeds. In truth, she really likes the American and she fears that the abortion could affect their relationship after losing the baby to an abortion. It's reassuring for her to know that everything will always be the same, but she still harbors uncertainty after asking him "how sure are you?" in his response that it will be like before when they do the operation (Hemingway, 40 years old). This is a sign that she is still in distress and not completely comforted. Both characters have different perspectives and opinions on the direction their relationship should take, which they struggle to show to the other while respecting each other's points of view. Although the American doesn't seem able to express himself fully and in the best possible way, it's obvious that he cares a lot about his girlfriend when he openly tells her what he thinks she should do . She makes it clear that she doesn't want to force her to do anything: "...I don't want to..