In “Hills Like White Elephants,” Anis del Toro plays a significant role in the story as it represents the deeper themes and conflicts between the characters. Anis del Toro is an anise-flavored liquor that the man suggests they try, and it serves as a symbol for the tension and bitterness in their relationship.
Anise is a spice often used to flavor black licorice candy, which is known for its distinct taste. When the girl tastes the Anis del Toro, she immediately comments that it tastes like licorice. This connection between anise and licorice is crucial because it parallels the relationship between the man and the girl.
Just like black licorice, their relationship has a bitter and overpowering flavor. The choice of Anis del Toro as the drink they share reflects the bitter taste of their conversation and the difficult decisions they are facing. It also signifies the underlying tension and conflict they are experiencing.
The licorice flavor of Anis del Toro represents the bitterness and complexity of their situation. The girl's comment about the taste of the liquor can be seen as her realization that their relationship has taken a bitter turn. The anise flavor becomes a metaphor for the challenges and sacrifices they are contemplating.
Furthermore, licorice has a strong and distinctive taste that can be polarizing, just like the decisions they are grappling with. The girl's comment about the taste can be interpreted as her acknowledgement that their choices will have a lasting impact on their lives.
Anis del Toro also serves as a reflection of their communication issues. Just as licorice has a strong and overpowering taste, their conversations are filled with tension and an imbalance of power. The liquor becomes a tangible representation of this imbalance and the difficulties they face in expressing their true desires and fears.
Anis del Toro in “Hills Like White Elephants” symbolizes the bitterness, tension, and complexity of the relationship between the man and the girl. It represents the difficult decisions they are contemplating and the challenges they face in communicating with each other. The licorice flavor of the liquor serves as a metaphor for the bitter taste their relationship has taken and the lasting impact their choices will have.