Module 2: Character Development
Thesis
It is incredibly important for a writer to be able to develop a character as thoroughly as possible.
While writers strive to describe their characters so the readers can fully understand the fully
inner workings of any characters of a story or a book, whether it be big or small, the writer also
has the ability to leave just enough of the character development and description for the reader to
formulate their own picture of what the character looks like, truly acts like, and in many cases
relate that character to someone in their own life in order to make an emotional connection to
any of the characters of the writing. In Hemmingway's “Hills Like White Elephants”, he
describes two characters in enough detail to get an idea of their attitudes however, the way he
writes is almost in code, and it is up to the reader to decipher the true meaning of the writing.
Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: Hemmingway makes it a point in this story to not name the characters as a way
to make it relatable to everyone. When a character is given a name, it is more likely for a reader
to formulate an opinion more similar to that of the writer.
Evidence: Throughout the story Hemingway never gives the characters an identity by giving
them a name. Instead, they are referred to by their sexes of male and female. By doing this, the
author is able to give more creative freedom to the reader and will allow the reader to think
throughout the entire story, “How do I relate to these characters? Could this character be me?”
This tactic gives a different view for viewers and makes the entirety of the story possibly more
relatable and more appealing.
Analysis: By not giving characters names Hemmingway takes a risk because with such a heated
topic that can be over analyzed, some people may read the story and become enraged and not
want to incorporate themselves with something such as abortion and therefore may not want to
read the story anymore.
Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence: The male character of this story is one that although Hemingway does not
come out and say it, can be a very hated character because once analyzed, this individual appears
to be pushing the woman character towards abortion and in this day and age, would be severely
frowned upon.
Evidence: By saying “I know we will. You don't have to be afraid; I've known lots of people
who that have done it” (Hemmingway), the male character is pressuring the female character to
do something that she is not one hundred percent sure of. This is using peer pressure and using
her fears to gain something in his favor.
Analysis: The way that Hemmingway writes the male character is very typical of that of an older
man speaking to a younger woman. He uses the man's power over the woman to convince her to
make a decision she isn't really sure she wants to make. By doing so, the writer is able to almost
force the reader to think a certain way with little room for interpretation.
Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence: The female character seems to be a younger woman who is only looking for the
male character to show her love and to promise to be with her no matter what decision is made.
She is looking for affection from a character who is only looking to convince her to do
something she may not want to.
Evidence: Throughout the story Hemmingway makes it a point for the female character to
question the love of the male character by asking things like, will you still love me? Can we still
be together? You wont hate me? And the list goes on. The character is obviously on the fence
and is not sure of what decision she should make.
Analysis: The female character in this story has the ability to think for herself when it comes to
the topic at hand, but due to her of losing the male character, she is heavily influenced by the
words the male character says to her, and the envisioned body language that the reader can
formulate in their own mind.
References:
Hemingway, E. (1998). Hills like white elephants. In The complete short stories of Ernest
Hemingway (Finca Vigia ed., pp. 211-214). New York, NY: Scribner Paperback Fiction.
(Original work published in 1938).