"Hills Like White Elephants"

At the beginning of the story, Hemingway describes the hills in the scenery as long and white. There was no shade nor trees. In Jig's observation as we get into the story, she describes the hills as resembling white elephants. Figuratively, the term "white elephant" refers to a possession that is a financial burden to maintain. A second figurative meaning of a "white elephant" is an endeavor or venture that proves to be a conspicious failure. The baby would be the white elephant if Jig was to go through with the birth.