The main focus of "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" is on the pain of old age suffered by a man that we meet in a cafe late one night. The beauty of the story is that Hemingway contrasts light and dark to show the difference between an old man and the young people around him, and uses his deafness as an image if his separation from the rest of the world. The most obvious image used by Hemingway in this story is that of the contrast between light and dark. The cafe is a "Clean, Well-Lighted Place". It is a refuge from the darkness of the night outside. Darkness is a symbol of fear and loneliness. The light symbolizes comfort and the company of others. There is hopelessness in the dark, while the light calms the nerves This story is filled with images of despair. The contrasts between light and dark, youth and age are harsh and well defined. The reader leaves the story with a feeling that there is no escape from the doldrums of the winter years of life. Perhaps it is Hemingway's own terror of old age and infirmity that he is trying to communicate to the reader. I loved the way of writing and the symbolism of light and dark. The writer shows his skills in using the language and the story gives a thought to the reader that one should start thinking about his up coming life because the future is always uncertain. The writer’s way of writing and easy use of language inspired me a lot I will defiantly suggest and read more work of Hemingway.
Submitted by Kiran Sami
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