It wasn't clear to me the first time around that they were discussing an abortion, but after reading it again it makes sense. I may have thought they were originally discussing having sex for the first time, I could see how that would fit. The whole "simple operation" would have to be symbolic or a metaphor for something else in that context of course. Her hesitation and fear of the operation are evidence that she is uneasy about the idea of it, and almost doesn't trust that her boyfriend or lover will feel the same way about her after the operation. He says they "let the air in and then it's all perfectly natural". The interesting thing is, having an abortion is not natural at all, it's very unnatural, forced, potentially harmful to the woman and painful physically and emotionally. If there were no emotional consequences it wouldn't be such a heart-filled decision. Also, it's interesting to me that even though she hasn't verbally committed to the operation, she is drinking alcohol which is clearly not something a pregnant woman should be doing.
It's not that I was surprised that the story is written by a man because his father was a doctor, but it's peculiar to me that the characters are introduced as the American and the girl. This introduction does not warrant me to immediately think they are a couple. There would simply be more emotion, more of a "motherly perspective" if the story were written by a woman. The technicality of it would be toned down.
Hemingway's suggestion of character being revealed through little description but rather through direct action is evident here, Jig is very anxious about the operation and how it will affect their relationship. She repeatedly asks him if he will still love her afterwards, what it will change, and generally seems to be hesitant toward the whole thing. Her doubting of his love towards her seems an obvious reflection of her age. She is referred to as the girl and he as the man. Somehow these two do not match up as a couple in my mind. She rationalizes saying that other people have done it and are happy afterward. It seems their relationship has other cracks in the foundation besides just this pregnancy. They are using the abortion as a means to attempt to rid themselves of their other problems.
The setting is very important to the story; the train station, the surrounding scenery, the incoming train all connect to the conflict this couple is having. The train station is an in between point, which is the place their relationship is at, sort of a crossing in a sense. The approaching train is the mode of transportation bringing them closer to the operation, there is dread and fear with that incoming train. The operation is approaching as is the train. The scenery seems important because the couple is at a standstill. The distance looks tranquil, beautiful, wrapped in sunshine, which is how she wishes their relationship would be. When she says "we can have all this", it seems to be an analogy for the desired state of their relationship. He says, "it isn't ours anymore", which almost seems like he is talking about their relationship, that because of this pregnancy and potential abortion, they've lost the pleasant relation they once knew. When people are carefree in a relationship, they say they feel like they are on top of the world, that the world is theirs to explore.
I also noted how at the end, Jig simply states, "I feel fine. There is nothing wrong with me. I feel fine." This sentence seems forced, unnatural and as if she is trying to convince herself of the words she's saying.
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