Dark Against Light
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'A Clean, Well-Lighted Place' presents the experience of one lonely individual as a symbol for the apparent meaninglessness of human existence."Contrast between light and dark
The main character in "A Clean, Well- Lighted Place," written by Ernest Hemingway, is the old man. The old man, who remains nameless throughout the short story, comes to the caf for the light it provides him against the dark night. He stays late into the night, and sits "In the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light."(p. 158) The old man is deaf and finds comfort in the "difference" he feels inside the quiet caf. The old man struggles with old age and the feeling of nothingness which is representative of the darkness outside of the caf. The well-lit caf represents order and cleanliness. Outside in the dark, a young soldier and a girl hurry along the streets. Apparently, the couple intend to go off alone...