Similarities between “Eveline” and “Hills like White Elephants” In both “Eveline” by James Joyce and “Hills like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemmingway, the characters are forced to make important, life-changing decisions. This is just one of the many similarities between the stories. One thing that was obvious to me while reading each of these stories was the presence of a dominant male antagonist in each story; The father of “Eveline” and the American of “Hills Like White Elephants”. These two characters have many of the same traits and motivations. Another thing these two stories have in common is how the setting of each story directly influences the plot. The authors describe these, along with many other concerts, in great detail in each story. In "Eveline" the main character has a huge decision to make. Eveline recently met a man and must decide whether to run away with him or stay and take care of his family. A promise Eveline makes to her mother before her death prevents her from running away with Frank. However, Eveline's father also plays a large role in why Eveline is so on the fence about leaving. Eveline's father is an example of an antagonist in this story. Her father forbids Eveline from seeing Frank; this is demonstrated by his father saying, “I know these sailors” (5). With a history of abuse, Eveline is afraid of going against her father's wishes. This fear is shown by the statement, “Even now…, he sometimes feels in danger because of his father's violence” (3-4). While this is a key reason why she's worried about running away with Frank, it also makes her yearn for an even stronger plea again. Eveline longs for the respect she once saw her mother receive, and believes doing so... in the middle of the paper... forces them to realize their true character. These decisions test their strength and give them the opportunity to take control of their lives. Having the control to make your own decision is a new experience for both characters. Each story included a dominant male antagonist, who both Eveline and Jig must oppose to determine which path is the right choice for them. These concepts along with many others help create the similar theme of independence and self-worth in each of these pieces. Works Cited Joyce, James. "Evelina." Literature and the writing process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan XDay and Robert Funk. 10th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. 3-7. Print.Joyce, James. “Hills like white elephants”. Literature and the writing process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day and Robert Funk. 10th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. 276-279. Print.