Lack in belief is inherent when one in drowning in anguish. Written almost entirely in dialogue, “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” is set late at night in a small café, two waiters prepare to close the bar for the evening. There is only one customer they have to tend to that evening, whom they are familiar with. An old, deaf man sitting, drinking alone like always. The older man has no interest of creating conversation with the gentlemen or drinking in the comfort of his home, for the matter. He sits in the cafe, all day and all night, feeling the world around him. He is visibly lonely. The old man tries to order another brandy but the young waiter has grown impatient and denies him his request, prematurely closing the bar. The young waiter shows
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Throughout the story, Hemingway uses many contrasts such as youth and age, belief and doubt, darkness and light, to enhance his nihilistic attitude of the world and emphasis the theme of loneliness and despair that have taken over the deaf, old man.
There is a significant focus on youth and age in this story. The young waiter suggests that the old man should just “buy a bottle and drink at home” (160). The old waiter disagrees and states that it is not the same as drinking in a clean, well-lighted cafe. After recognizing that the old man is in his drunken state, the older waiter tries to enlighten the younger one by telling him that the deaf, old man had actually attempted suicide the week before. The young waiter still showed no warmth or affinity to the lonely man even after hearing his tragic tale. The young waiter does not realize that, one day, he too might become lonely and in need of a clean, quiet cafe. The older man and waiter know what it is like to feel despair, nothingness. That is why the older waiter does not …show more content…
The theme in this short story, is loneliness and despair. The small, quiet, clean, and well-lit cafe is the light in the midst of the dark. Metaphorically and literally. The story is set at night to emphasis the nothingness that surrounds everyday life. The cafe itself is depicted as a beacon of hope. Well-lit and polished to a tee, this is what is desired by those who are in despair or those who feel nothing. “A clean, well-lighted cafe [is] a very different thing,” (161) in comparison from the bars and bodegas open all night long. Obviously, the well-lit cafe is what draws people in, “but it is necessary that the place be clean and pleasant” (161) for the lonely to actually stay. The deaf, old man sits by himself in the same cafe every day, instead of sitting in the comfort of his own home, shows how important this little cafe truly is. At home he is in isolation. At the cafe his mind is able to stay busy. The deaf, old man feels everything. He feels the trucks pass by on the road, he watches the leaves blow in the wind, and he loves to stay late to feel the quietness around him. He feels the difference. This is why the old waiter is reluctant to close up every night, he sees the old man. He too enjoys sitting in a clean, well lit cafe. He even stops at a cafe on his way home. However, it doesn’t meet his standards. The old waiter, then decides he would
Throughout the story, Hemingway uses many contrasts such as youth and age, belief and doubt, darkness and light, to enhance his nihilistic attitude of the world and emphasis the theme of loneliness and despair that have taken over the deaf, old man.
There is a significant focus on youth and age in this story. The young waiter suggests that the old man should just “buy a bottle and drink at home” (160). The old waiter disagrees and states that it is not the same as drinking in a clean, well-lighted cafe. After recognizing that the old man is in his drunken state, the older waiter tries to enlighten the younger one by telling him that the deaf, old man had actually attempted suicide the week before. The young waiter still showed no warmth or affinity to the lonely man even after hearing his tragic tale. The young waiter does not realize that, one day, he too might become lonely and in need of a clean, quiet cafe. The older man and waiter know what it is like to feel despair, nothingness. That is why the older waiter does not …show more content…
The theme in this short story, is loneliness and despair. The small, quiet, clean, and well-lit cafe is the light in the midst of the dark. Metaphorically and literally. The story is set at night to emphasis the nothingness that surrounds everyday life. The cafe itself is depicted as a beacon of hope. Well-lit and polished to a tee, this is what is desired by those who are in despair or those who feel nothing. “A clean, well-lighted cafe [is] a very different thing,” (161) in comparison from the bars and bodegas open all night long. Obviously, the well-lit cafe is what draws people in, “but it is necessary that the place be clean and pleasant” (161) for the lonely to actually stay. The deaf, old man sits by himself in the same cafe every day, instead of sitting in the comfort of his own home, shows how important this little cafe truly is. At home he is in isolation. At the cafe his mind is able to stay busy. The deaf, old man feels everything. He feels the trucks pass by on the road, he watches the leaves blow in the wind, and he loves to stay late to feel the quietness around him. He feels the difference. This is why the old waiter is reluctant to close up every night, he sees the old man. He too enjoys sitting in a clean, well lit cafe. He even stops at a cafe on his way home. However, it doesn’t meet his standards. The old waiter, then decides he would