In "Hills Like White Elephants," why may Jig have envisioned a white elephant and not the American?

Since a white
elephant is a metaphoric expression for something that is a burdensome possession, the question
of why the American does not perceive the hills as white elephants while the girl does is,
indeed, cogent.  Perhaps, the key to the answer is the fact that the hills like white elephants
are in the distance, "across the valley." 

For, it is Jig who
perceives beyond the immediacy of the moment. This perception of Jig's is confirmed in
the couple's dialogue as the American's myopia is instantly apparent:

"They look like white elephants," she said.

"I've never seen one," the man drank his beer.

"No,
you wouldn't have."

Jig thinks intuitively which
allows her to sense the long-range effects of any actions that they take.  She, therefore, is
the one who understands that all is not as the man says,"perfectly simple."
Repeatedly, then, she questions the American, asking if he will be happy and love her if she has
the operation, asking also if he will no longer worry,

Intuitively,...