Symbolism and imagery are two effective tools used to reveal conflicts in literary works. Symbolism is the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships. Imagery is the use of figures of speech or vivid descriptions in writing or speaking to produce mental images. Ernest Hemingway uses symbolism and imagery eloquently in his short story "Hills Like White Elephants." In "Hills Like White …showed first 75 words of 568 total…

…showed last 75 words of 568 total…to indicate that she finally realizes that the relationship between the two of them is not as strong as she would like it to be and will never be meaningful. This realization allows her to make the decision to keep the baby and leave her boyfriend behind and start a new life. Jig chooses to escape the emptiness and loneliness of "this side" to be on "the other side" amongst the hills like white elephants.