The Themes of Abortion and Pregnancy in Hills Like White Elephants :: Hills Like White Elephants Ernest Hemingway

Hills Like White Elephants, written by Ernest Hemingway, is a story that takes place in Spain while a man and woman wait for a train. The story is set up as a dialogue between the two, in which the man is trying to convince the woman to do something she is hesitant in doing. Through out the story, Hemingway uses metaphors to express the characters’ opinions and feelings. Hills Like White Elephants displays the differences in the way a man and a woman view pregnancy and abortion. The woman looks at pregnancy as a beautiful aspect of life. In the story the woman’s pregnancy is implied through their conversation. She refers to the near by hills as elephants; "They look like white elephants" (464). She is comparing the hills to her own situation, pregnancy. "They’re lovely hills. They really don’t look like white elephants. I just meant the coloring of their skin through the trees" (465). Just as the hills have their distinct beauty to her, she views pregnancy in the same fashion making the reference to the hills having skin—an enlarged mound forming off of what was once flat. The man views pregnancy just the opposite. When the girl is talking about the white elephants and agrees that the man has never seen one, his response is, "I might have, just because you say I haven’t doesn’t prove anything" (464). This sho ws the defensive nature of the man, and when the woman implies the he is unable to differentiate between what is beautiful and what is not. Another issue that is discussed in this story is abortion and two opposing views. When the conversation turns from the hills to the operation one is able to comprehend the mentality of the woman. "Then what will we do afterwards?" (465) shows the woman is concerned about what will occur after the operation. "And if I do it you will be happy and things will be like they were and you will love me" (465). Here, the woman implies she wants the reassurance that he will still be there after the operation, because an abortion places an emotional strain on the on the woman. Throughout the story it is evident that the woman is not sure if she wants to have the abortion—shown in her hesitation to agree. The woman feels that people gain freedom through experiences. "And we could have all of this, and every day we make it more impossible" (466).

Legal Aspects of Education

The secretary of education in the past William Bennett implemented thorough analysis of the issue concerning the reasons why present educations scheme is not successful for students, and the measures that could be taken to boost educational presentation and protect the finances. He specified several unlawful associations which are worse in the US. It is contradictory to really productive education law. It places its own priorities, not the students' on the first place. It has deplored so greatly about the profession of a teacher that it made numerous persons to refuse from the connecting their lives with teaching profession.According to Bennett, the too much legalization of learning system is restraining daring, inventive people who want to hold the accountability and to acknowledge the result. I completely agree with Mr. Bennett that the law simply does not implement its real function. Instead of letting students feel more self-assured and protected it really can prevent good and pe rspective educators from penetrating school system. Certainly separate individuals really must be removed from teaching however according to Bennett some of such restrictions will be unavoidably â€Å"slipped around† and this will not help to protect students.I suggest that modification-oriented teachers and socio- lawful researchers with sufficient information of learning principle and the function of regulation in communal restructure should consider both its empirical restrictions and speculative positive sides. I agree that the researches should and must actively participate in process of change and it is essential to know on time about the law actions that can protect students’ and teachers’ rights and finish the crisis in the system of education.

Relations of the mind to the body

A definite relationship exists between the mind and the body.   Some theorists express this relationship as the mind-body connection, and many continue to debate about whether the mind controls the body or whether the body controls the mind.   â€Å"The body-mind problem concerns the relationship between minds, or mental processes, and bodily states or processes.   Philosophers aim to explain how a supposedly non-material mind can influence a material body and vice-versa,† (Philosophy of the Mind, n.d.). Although it may be difficult to explain, there is evidence that people experience this mind-body connection on a regular basis.   Throughout history people have used their minds to control their bodies.   For example, â€Å"using ancient meditation techniques, Tibetan monks have demonstrated to scientists their ability to raise their own body temperature and hold it high enough that they are able to dry out wet cold sheets wrapped around their body, even in a chilly room,† (Bridger, 2006). Our bodies respond to our minds, the way we think, and to our emotions.   What happens in our minds greatly affects our bodies, as there is a definite relation between the two.  Ã‚   However, many people don’t realize the extent of this connection.   For example, â€Å"poor emotional health can weaken your body’s immune system, making you more likely to get colds and other infections during emotionally difficult times,† (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2006).   If you want to change your body, you have to change your thoughts.   â€Å"We do not realize that little ordinary negative thoughts we have throughout the day have the power to create substantial changes within our bodies.   Negative thoughts wreak havoc on your body and will age you at a greatly accelerated rate,† (The Mind Body Connection, n.d.). I believe in the body-mind relation because I have experienced the connection.   When I have allowed myself to think bad thoughts, I have noticed that my body feels weak like those thoughts have somehow sucked the energy out of my body.   I have also allowed myself to think negative thoughts to the point of getting a headache, or feeling sick to the stomach.   I don’t think we can separate our minds from our bodies.   When I think happy thoughts I feel more energetic. Science and medicine will never be able to prove every aspect of the mind-body connections, and that is not really important because I doubt that every reality of life can be proven.   But I know there is a strong relation between the mind and body and it is beneficial for us to learn more about this connection.  Ã‚   Knowing that our thoughts affect our bodies is a motivating factor in helping me pay more attention to what I think, and to focus on thinking positive thoughts. References American Academy of Family Physicians (2006). Mind/Body Connection: How Your Emotions Affect Your Health.   Retrieve April 1, 2007 from http://familydoctor.org/782.xml Bridger, D. (2006).   How Much Can Your Mind Control Your Body?   Retrieved April 1, 2007, from http://www.mindpowernews.com/127.htm Philosophy Of The Mind (n.d.).   Retrieved April 1, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_mind The Mind Body Connection (n.d.).   Retrieved April 1, 2007 from http://www.quantumhealthandfitness.com/mind-muscle-connection.htm