Ernest Hemingway’s 1927 story, “Hills Like White Elephants,” is emblematic of the author’s singular style. His focus on what was not being said rather than what was; his simple, declarative sentences and his rhythmic repetition aimed to portray life realistically in a way no author had done before. As author Tobias Wolff puts it in the film, Hemingway “rearranged the furniture in the room,” and every writer who came after him had to either consciously embrace or reject his style.

In this lesson, students will watch film clips that describe how Hemingway came to form his style and how his style helps convey key themes in “Hills Like White Elephants.” They will examine how this information expands their understanding, and possibly their appreciation of, the story. This lesson contains an optional text analysis assignment as well as an optional writing assignment, one in which students have the chance to write a short piece in Hemingway’s style.

This lesson can be used before, during, or after reading “Hills Like White Elephants.”

Essential questions:

• What were the characteristics of Hemingway’s signature style, and how did he develop them?
• How do Hemingway’s style choices match the ideas he is trying to convey?
• How does knowing about an author’s background and ambitions affect your evaluation of their work?

About the Author:

Jessica Leader is a teacher and author. She has taught middle and high school English and social studies for 13 years in New York, Kentucky, and Washington, DC and has authored curriculum materials for several Ken Burns films. Her middle-grade novel, Nice and Mean, was published by Simon and Schuster. She believes in the power of great stories.