A Clean Well-Lighted Place
Melissa Narvaez
Essay Assignment #1
In the short story "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place," Ernest Hemingway shows his unique style by using contrasting images of the old man and the discussion between the two waiters. One can see many themes that Hemingway uses throughout the story. For example, aging seems to be a main issue in the story. His text and choice of words give the reader a gloomy tone, especially in the beginning of the story: "It was late and every one had left the café except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light" (154). This shadow shows the darkness in relation to the deaf old man.
We come across two waiters in the story whom one is stated to be the younger waiter and his …show more content…
For instance, the younger waiter seems completely casual about the fact that the deaf old man had tried to commit suicide. Instead, "I wish he would go home. I never get to bed before three o'clock. What kind of hour is that to go to bed?" (156). The younger waiter seems impatient and wants the old man to leave so he could go home to his wife. He also seems to have something against aging because he says that an old man is a nasty thing' and that he would not want to be as old as the deaf man (156). He only wants to get to bed early and wants to the old man to leave but he does not seem to understand that the old man needs this "clean, well-lighted …show more content…
His deafness keeps him separated from his surroundings and the two waiters. "'Why didn't you let him stay and drink?'" the unhurried waiter asked (156). The older waiter seems more understanding with the deaf old man and to why the café is important him. "'I am one of those who like to stay late at the café,' the older waiter said. With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night" (157). His insomnia keeps him from wanting to go to sleep like the younger waiter. The older waiter's insomnia can relate to the deaf old man's continuous drinking of brandy. He keeps on drinking to drown in his sense of loneliness and to finally find his level of
Essay Assignment #1
In the short story "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place," Ernest Hemingway shows his unique style by using contrasting images of the old man and the discussion between the two waiters. One can see many themes that Hemingway uses throughout the story. For example, aging seems to be a main issue in the story. His text and choice of words give the reader a gloomy tone, especially in the beginning of the story: "It was late and every one had left the café except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light" (154). This shadow shows the darkness in relation to the deaf old man.
We come across two waiters in the story whom one is stated to be the younger waiter and his …show more content…
For instance, the younger waiter seems completely casual about the fact that the deaf old man had tried to commit suicide. Instead, "I wish he would go home. I never get to bed before three o'clock. What kind of hour is that to go to bed?" (156). The younger waiter seems impatient and wants the old man to leave so he could go home to his wife. He also seems to have something against aging because he says that an old man is a nasty thing' and that he would not want to be as old as the deaf man (156). He only wants to get to bed early and wants to the old man to leave but he does not seem to understand that the old man needs this "clean, well-lighted …show more content…
His deafness keeps him separated from his surroundings and the two waiters. "'Why didn't you let him stay and drink?'" the unhurried waiter asked (156). The older waiter seems more understanding with the deaf old man and to why the café is important him. "'I am one of those who like to stay late at the café,' the older waiter said. With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night" (157). His insomnia keeps him from wanting to go to sleep like the younger waiter. The older waiter's insomnia can relate to the deaf old man's continuous drinking of brandy. He keeps on drinking to drown in his sense of loneliness and to finally find his level of