A Clean, Well-Lighted Place (Hemingway): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:32, 28 May 2023

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A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

1933

Summary of the Short Story

Microsummary: Two waiters discussed an old man's loneliness and despair while he drank at their café late into the night, highlighting the importance of a clean, well-lighted place for comfort.

Late one night, an old man sat alone in a café, enjoying the quiet and the shadows cast by the leaves of a tree against the electric light. The two waiters working there knew the old man was a little drunk, and they kept an eye on him to make sure he didn't leave without paying.

👴🏻

The Old Man — deaf, lonely, and despairing; enjoys the quiet and cleanliness of the café; attempted suicide.

They discussed how the old man had tried to commit suicide the previous week, but they couldn't understand why since he had plenty of money.

Last week he tried to commit suicide. Why? He was in despair. What about? Nothing.

The old man asked for another brandy, and the younger waiter reluctantly served him, telling him he should have killed himself last week.

👨🏻‍🏫

The Younger Waiter — impatient and eager to go home; lacks empathy for the old man; values his own comfort.

The old man paid for his drinks and left, walking unsteadily but with dignity. The two waiters closed the café, and the older waiter expressed his preference for staying late at the café, as he believed there might be someone who needed the place.

👱🏻‍♂️

The Older Waiter — understands the old man's need for a clean, well-lighted place; empathetic and reflective; struggles with insomnia.

I am of those who like to stay late at the café. With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night.

The older waiter went to a bar, where he had a brief conversation with the barman about the brightness of the light and the lack of cleanliness. He then went home to his room, where he struggled to sleep, thinking that his insomnia was a common problem.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 | Title = A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
 | Author = Ernest Hemingway
-| Genre = short story
+| Literary form = short story
 | Year of publication = 1933
-| Microsummary = An old deaf man spent his evening at a café, seeking solace in its clean, well-lighted atmosphere. Two waiters observed him, discussing his loneliness, despair, and their own perspectives on life.
+| Microsummary = Two waiters discussed an old man's loneliness and despair while he drank at their café late into the night, highlighting the importance of a clean, well-lighted place for comfort.
 }}
 {{Start of text}}
-One night, at a café, an old deaf man sat alone in the shadows of a tree, enjoying the quiet atmosphere. Two waiters observed him, knowing he was slightly drunk and might leave without paying if he got too drunk.
+Late one night, an old man sat alone in a café, enjoying the quiet and the shadows cast by the leaves of a tree against the electric light. The two waiters working there knew the old man was a little drunk, and they kept an eye on him to make sure he didn't leave without paying.
 {{Character
 | Name = The Old Man
-| Description = deaf, lonely, and wealthy; struggles with despair and alcoholism; attempted suicide; dignified and clean despite his drunkenness
+| Description = deaf, lonely, and despairing; enjoys the quiet and cleanliness of the café; attempted suicide
 | Emoji = 👴🏻
 }}
-They discussed the old man's recent suicide attempt, which they believed was due to despair over nothing, as he had plenty of money.
+They discussed how the old man had tried to commit suicide the previous week, but they couldn't understand why since he had plenty of money.
-The old man requested more brandy, and the younger waiter reluctantly served him, telling him he should have killed himself last week.
+{{Quote
+| Text = Last week he tried to commit suicide. Why? He was in despair. What about? Nothing.
+| Context = The younger waiter tells the older waiter about the old man's suicide attempt, revealing his despair despite having money. This conversation occurs early in the story while they watch the old man drink.
+}}
+The old man asked for another brandy, and the younger waiter reluctantly served him, telling him he should have killed himself last week.
 {{Character
 | Name = The Younger Waiter
-| Description = impatient and confident; has a wife waiting for him at home; lacks empathy for the old man; values his own time and comfort
+| Description = impatient and eager to go home; lacks empathy for the old man; values his own comfort
-| Emoji = 👨🏻‍🍳
+| Emoji = 👨🏻‍🏫
 }}
-The old man paid for his drinks and left the café, walking unsteadily but with dignity. The younger waiter wished the old man would go home earlier, as he wanted to go to bed himself. The older waiter, however, understood the old man's need for a clean, well-lighted place to spend his evenings.
+The old man paid for his drinks and left, walking unsteadily but with dignity. The two waiters closed the café, and the older waiter expressed his preference for staying late at the café, as he believed there might be someone who needed the place.
 {{Character
 | Name = The Older Waiter
-| Description = empathetic and understanding; relates to the old man's need for a clean, well-lighted place; experiences loneliness and a sense of nothingness in life
+| Description = understands the old man's need for a clean, well-lighted place; empathetic and reflective; struggles with insomnia
-| Emoji = 👴🏼
+| Emoji = 👱🏻‍♂️
 }}
-The two waiters continued their conversation, with the younger waiter expressing his desire to go home to his wife and the older waiter revealing his own loneliness and lack of confidence. The older waiter explained that he liked to stay late at the café, providing a comforting space for those who needed it.
+{{Quote
+| Text = I am of those who like to stay late at the café. With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night.
-{{Quote|
+| Context = The older waiter explains to the younger waiter why he understands the old man's need for a clean, well-lighted place. This conversation takes place after the old man leaves the café.
-"Each night I am reluctant to close up because there may be some one who needs the café."
 }}
-The younger waiter dismissed this, saying there were other places open all night.
+The older waiter went to a bar, where he had a brief conversation with the barman about the brightness of the light and the lack of cleanliness. He then went home to his room, where he struggled to sleep, thinking that his insomnia was a common problem.
-After closing the café, the older waiter went to a bar, where he found the atmosphere lacking compared to the clean, well-lighted café. He returned to his room, contemplating the emptiness of life and the need for a refuge from it, before finally falling asleep as daylight broke.
 {{End of text}}