Jonathan Bastos
Ryan Gallagher
English 12 cp, period: 7
25 November 2008

Hills like white Elephants Re-written by. William Faulkner
In the valley of the Ebro there stood the hills. The hills were long covered in a blanket of white. It was a shadeless place there were no trees in sight. [MPS1] The sun’s warm rays lay between the tracks. Almost as if the sun was the one guiding the trains[MPS2] . To keep out flies, bamboo beads were hung in the opening of the bar. Sitting at a table embraced by the shade the American man sat with the girl. In 40 minutes the express from Barcelona will arrive. The girl took of her hat and placed it on the table. Turning to the man she asked, “What should we drink”. The air is incredibly warm and humid, the man said.

Shall we drink beer? The man asked, for “Dos Cervezas.” Two felt pads and two glasses of beer were placed on the table. The waitress noticed the woman glancing at the hills in, the valley. As the sun shined on them they were almost white and pale. The country was brown and lifeless[MPS3] . “They look like white elephants,” said the girl. “I’ve never seen one, the man said while sipping his beer. The girl told him there was no way he could’ve ever seen one. The American said, “I might have, just because you say I wouldn’t have doesn’t prove anything”. The girl noticed a sign that said “Anis del Toro.” The man called upon the waitress motioning her over with his hand; “we want two Anis del Toro.” “Do you want water with it”, asked the waitress.” The waitress said “it tastes like licorice,” as she put the glass down. Later on the girl said “everything tastes like licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited so long for, like absinthe.” the man seemed a bit annoyed after the comment. They both knew they were having a great time. The girl kept staring at the hills through the window. In her head she knew the hills did not resemble elephants at all. The only resemblance to elephants they had was the color through the trees.

The beer was nice and cool. The beer was a defense against the scorching heat.[MPS4] “It’s really an awfully simple operation, Jig,” the man said. “It’s not really an operation at all.” The girl remained silent. They kept arguing back and forth about whether or not she should get the operation. Although they were arguing they still had time to stop and say I love you. The man noticed the girl’s everlasting gaze at the valley and the hills through the trees. “The train is coming in five minutes.” “I’d better take the bags over to the other side of the station,” the man said. A big smile appeared on her face. The train had not arrived yet. The barroom was filled with people waiting for the train. When he got back she was sitting at a table smiling. They had been arguing before but they were okay now. She just needed a break from the man’s never ending questions. “Do you feel better?” he asked. All she said was that she was fine.

[MPS1]In the story Hemingway says there are no trees and no shade. I decided to simplify this by saying “it was a shadeless place.” I think Faulkner would’ve done the same thing.

[MPS2]Hemingway said the rails were in the sun. I decided to elaborate the fact that the rails were in the sun. I described the warmth of the sun and how the sun seemed to guide the train like an arrow of light. I think what Hemingway lacks in his writing is description. I can’t imagine Hemingway’s stories as well as faulkners.

[MPS3]I chose to write this because Faulkner uses a lot of description. His writing style is based on description. Instead of saying the hills were white in the sun. I said the hills were white and pale. The country was brown and lifeless was also a great way of describing the valley.

[MPS4]Instead of just saying the beer was nice and cool. I added that the beer was a defense against the heat. Just to put more emphasis on the conditions of the setting. That’s why they were arguing. I think when its really hot the blood starts to flow faster. This causes people to get a little more frustrated.