Locating the railway station in the literary map sketched by Ernest Hemingway in his story "Hills Like White Elephant" aids analysis of the story's ending. One side of the station presents a barren vista which could metaphorically represent abortion and the aimlessness of the two protagonists' life, while the other side, which presents a fertile field, an image associated with life. Analysis of the girl's characterization leads to the conclusion that she chose not to have the abortion: she chose the rail side that overlooks the fertile fields.