Criticism / Literary analysis: Hills Like White Elephants, by Ernest Hemingway

i think this was a well written out and well thought about overview. Im not sure  if i myself will read it but thats why there are people like you to tell me about it. well done and maybe one day i shall read this book

The first paragraph is mere summary. Assume your reader has read the story. The second paragraph  mentions symbols, but simply lists them and states what they symbolize. Better to elaborate on each symbol and tie the symbolic meanings to a larger interpretation. The essay needs a thesis and then needs to prove the thesis with evidence from the text. This is more a blog-like “what I thought of the story” notion rather than an in-depth critique. Needs development.

I think you put a lot of thought when you composed this piece. What I particularly  admire is the general summary of the story you provided at the beginning of this paper and your interpretation of the symbolisms in the story. It gives the readers (especially those who have not read the story yet) the impression that you wish them to have a deeper understanding of the story and to pique their interest to read the story for themselves.

The only problem I see is that this piece is written more for expository purposes than actual literary criticism. To begin with you did not mention any critical remarks regarding any aspect of Hemingway’s short story in your piece. Though you gave an analysis of the symbolisms Hemingway used in the story (see paragraph 3), you did not give any comments regarding the appropriateness or the inappropriateness of the symbolisms he used.

From what I see in your work you already have the depth of insight needed in order to have a deeper understanding of a certain work. What you need now is a critical perspective in order to point out the things that need to be commended and amended in a certain work.

The general outline of your piece is quite nice, however, I feel that you can make further changes to make it more effective. For starters I suggest you make paragraph 2 as your first paragraph. I believe readers many readers would like to have a general idea of the theme the work delves into first prior to its actual details.

Once this is done I suggest that you try writing a simplified account of the summary of the work. It would be helpful if you composed your sentences in a straightforward way. For instance you mentioned:

“The story takes in the Ebro River valley of Spain, where an American man and his female companion Jig are waiting for a train and having drinks discussing “doing it” (paragraph 1, sentence 2).

You wish to communicate a lot of ideas in this single sentence like: (1) the setting, (2) the existence of an American couple, (3) waiting for a train and (4) discussing “doing it.” For the sake of clarity it would have been better if you stated this sentence in simple terms such as:

The story takes place in the Ebro River valley of Spain. There an American couple was planning to have an abortion over a couple of drinks while waiting for the train.”

I also suggest that you refrain from using presumptuous language such as “obviously.” In sentence 3 of the first paragraph you mentioned:

“Obviously, by “doing it”, they’re referring to whether or not they should have an abortion.”

Using presumptuous words such as “obviously” has an air of arrogance to it. Those who have read the story before may have a different idea of what “doing it” means and may be offended if you rub their ignorance in their faces. Even if Hemingway experts were to read your work I feel that they prefer using proper terms such as “abortion” in your composition for the sake of clarity.

Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, I suggest that you give critical comments regarding the appropriateness or inappropriateness of certain aspects of Hemingway’s work. As a general rule critics critique a given work because they see that it still has room for improvement no matter how small. Whether you find that “room for improvement” or not I suggest that you support your praises with good reasons.

In your concluding remarks you mentioned that “after careful examination” Hemingway’s story “deserves to be read” (paragraph 3, sentence 1). You should have given a reason should read this work of Hemingway’s. Always remember that adulation without good reason is simply flattery. As a critic it is always wise to support one’s judgment with valid reasons.

If you can take these things in mind I feel that you can produce truly critical works someday. You already have the depth of insight which I think is THE most important thing a critic should possess. Perhaps the best thing you should work on is the critical stance, the act of supporting your judgments with valid reasons.

I wish you the best!. =)

it’s it’s it’s

Try this. REplace your it’s with the word ‘it is’. Does it make sense?

NO.

Interesting criticism. Read like a school piece. Is that what it was? I’m only reading this far though.

Thanks.

Heather
wordwan

Your first sentence is redundant. There is no need for you to create a separate sentence when introducing a new topic. Also, assume that the reader assumes you have already read the topic carefully; there is no need to state that you have done so purely to flesh out words. Avoid editorializing.