Often in literature, characters have to make important choices, even when the outcomes are equally unpleasant. This is called a dilemma, and many students will be able to identify with being stuck “between a rock and a hard place”, much like characters are in their various conflicts in a story. Have students analyze the dilemma the Jig is facing as they read and speculate on the potential outcomes of the her choice. Have them incorporate their findings into a storyboard like the example below.
The American man wants Jig to have an abortion so they can go back to their normal lives of traveling and drinking and being carefree. Jig is hesitant, but seems to acquiesce because she wants to make him happy. However, she knows that her decision is complicated, and she finds herself in a dilemma.
If Jig has the abortion, she and the American man will go back to their carefree lifestyle, but something will be broken between them. She knows they will never be as happy as they were before, and they will probably continue to drift apart.
If Jig has the baby, the American man will be unhappy and she will likely lose him or feel guilty for not having the abortion. They will lose their carefree lifestyle, and having a baby is a lifetime commitment.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that analyzes a dilemma that a character is facing in "Hills Like White Elephants".
Encourage students to openly share their thoughts about character decisions. Use open-ended questions to prompt deeper thinking, such as 'What would you do in Jig's place?' and 'Why do you think the character feels this way?'. This builds empathy and helps students connect personally to the text.
Ask students to support their ideas with direct quotes or specific passages from the story. Model how to find and reference key lines that reveal character motivations or conflicts. This strengthens reading comprehension and critical analysis skills.
Set clear norms for respectful dialogue and remind students that there are often no 'right' answers in literary analysis. Encourage listening and building on each other's responses to foster a thoughtful classroom environment.
Invite students to brainstorm similar dilemmas people face outside of literature. Relate the story’s themes to personal experiences or current events, making the lesson more meaningful and relevant.
Assign a short writing activity where students reflect on what they learned about dilemmas and decision-making. Prompt them to consider how analyzing characters' choices can inform their own thinking and empathy.
The narrator’s dilemma in "Hills Like White Elephants" centers on Jig’s difficult choice between having an abortion to please the American man or keeping the baby and facing potential loss of their relationship and lifestyle. Both options have significant emotional consequences.
Students can analyze a character’s dilemma by identifying the choices the character faces, exploring possible outcomes, and discussing the emotional and practical impacts of each decision. Visual tools like storyboards can help organize and present their analysis.
If Jig chooses abortion, she and the American man may resume their carefree lifestyle, but their relationship could suffer and never be the same. If she keeps the baby, they risk losing their freedom and possibly their relationship, facing lifelong changes.
A useful activity is to have students create a storyboard that outlines a character’s dilemma, details the possible choices, and predicts potential outcomes. This helps students deepen their understanding of conflict and decision-making in stories.
The dilemma in "Hills Like White Elephants" is significant because it explores complex themes like relationships, personal choice, and consequences—topics that resonate with high school students and foster critical thinking about real-life decisions.