Analysis of Hemmingways A Well Lighted Place
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Earnest Hemmingway's "A Clean Well Lighted Place" is a sad story about the cycle of life. He introduces three characters: two waiters and an elderly patron. Each of these characters is a man living in a different age, with a different perspective on life. Through the portrayal of these characters, Hemmingway illustrates his theme that aging leads from naivety to wisdom and ultimate depression. As a person becomes older, they become lonely and in need of companionship of others to endure their depression.
Hemmingway uses the setting of the caf as a symbol to represent family and companionship. "This is a clean and pleasant caf (Hemmingway 107). The caf is a source of warmth and friendly company to those that are otherwise very lonely.
The darkness is used as a symbol to represent depression. One of the reasons the caf is viewed as pleasant is due to the fact that it is well lighted...