Assignment Task:
The reader is hurled into the world of Rama and his crisis. On the day of his coronation, his father (King) wants him to leave and to live in the forest for fourteen years because of a deal with Kaikeyi (Queen). His brother, Bharata, would be crowned and take his place. Rama is focused on fulfilling his father's wishes, but his wife, Sita, has a different point-of-view.
Choose a section of "The Ramayana of Valmiki: Book 2" to explore. This is not a summary. Please analyze one or two themes that occur in this section and develop an analysis. This analysis can be about honor, loyalty, family bonds, or something else. Use the Sample below to generate some ideas. Need Assignment Help?
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"Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is not a piece to be taken lightly. Behind the seemingly simple words and short sentences lie a plethora of thoughts and symbolisms. There is literally more to the text than meets the eye.
The short story affected me in a way different from the other readings. It somehow made me think deeper, altered my view towards most short stories, and gave me another angle in which I can view literature. The text, in a sense, made me a more effective reader.
Through the story, I was able to realize that not all stories are skin-deep. The first time I read it, the plot seems to me like an ordinary argument between lovers about an "operation" which I presumed to be insignificant. I have never been so wrong. It turned out that all the elements in the story contributed in weaving a fine piece. All the symbolisms, allusions, everything that was said in the text, and even everything that was not said efficiently set it apart from other short stories.
Moreover, it reiterated to me the need to have a grasp of the historical and cultural background of the author and the text itself. One could never understand why Hemingway did not reveal the "operation" unless he checks the era when the text was written. The setting of the story will also be blurred if one does not know the author's experiences. It is therefore important that we take a peek into the author's biography and history in order for us to interact better with the text. This I realized after reading "Hills Like White Elephants" for the third time, when I have already acquainted myself with Hemingway.
Aside from making me a better reader, the text also deepened my comprehension about the link between literature and society. How a generation behaves and thinks has an impact to the text written in that particular time.
Consider the "operation" for example. Hemingway did not explicitly state what the operation is, despite the fact that context clues point out abortion, because it is unethical and illegal to talk about abortion and family planning during the time he crafted the story. The social norm clearly has an evident effect to the text.
The diminutive treatment and cold approach of the American towards Jig also reflects how the society thinks of the women then. Back in 1920s, gender equality has already been introduced but not many people are supporting this. Hemingway's characterization of Jig mirrors society's perspective of women at that time.
Another thing worth noting is that the couple could have had the baby without getting married, if they do not want commitment. Back then, however, pregnancy or parenthood before marriage used to be a big deal. And since the world views unwed parents with disdain before the choice of having the baby or not becomes a gigantic conflict in the story. If Hemingway happened to write this story in our generation, being pregnant out of wedlock would not be much trouble, since our society sees single parents as strong, empowered individuals. But that is not the case during his time. They were a lot more conservative back then.
"Hills Like White Elephants" still has a lot of crevices to explore. What I have read and understood can be just the tip of an iceberg. On the surface, the text could look like a tiny mound of soil. But after reading it closer, all its symbolisms, social relevance, and implications would reveal something bigger, maybe something as big as a hill.