A Clean, Well-Lighted Place (Hemingway)

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Ernest Hemingway

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

1933

Summary of the Short Story

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.

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.

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The Old Man — deaf, lonely, and wealthy; struggles with despair and alcoholism; attempted suicide; dignified and clean despite his drunkenness.

They discussed the old man's recent suicide attempt, which they believed was due to despair over nothing, as 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.

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The Younger Waiter — impatient and confident; has a wife waiting for him at home; lacks empathy for the old man; values his own time and comfort.

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.

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The Older Waiter — 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.

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.

"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.

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.