Alcoholism In A Clean Well Lighted Places

Deafness and Alcoholism: Deafness and alcoholism in Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted place” are portrayed through one of the story main character, the old man. He is an old deaf man, who comes regularly to drink in a clean well lighted place. We, as a reader, get to know information about the old man through the conversation between the young waiter and the old waiter. He uses deafness as symbolic of the alienation of the old man and his existential struggle and despair. He is not only deaf literally but also symbolically. He is deaf/dead, to the outside world because he cannot communicate or deal with other. He creates his own isolated world. All he needs is a clean silent place that gives him security without any distraction. Moreover,