A Clean Well-Lighted Place By Ernest Hemingway

Nothing In Ernest Hemingway's “A Clean, Well-lighted Place” He illustrates how young, innocent minds are oblivious to the nothingness that is around. Older people understand the idea Hemingway is conveying. The experience they have let’s them see how insignificant one single person is. While young minds still seek out and hope, older minds conclude what life is. Hemingway expresses, “ "Last week he tried to commit suicide," one waiter said. “ "Why?" "He was in despair." "What about?" "Nothing." ” (pg.1) Here he first explains his idea, The old man is very depressed; the young waiter could not comprehend why, he thinks in a childish manner, not yet understanding the grave truth. The old waiter knows, because he himself is beginning to see. A young person is always told that their entire lives ahead, but that’s not true. This old man woke up one day and saw his life for what it was; nothing.

1) Hemingway illustrates an interesting concept. He was deaf physically, but also mentally. The old man, preferred coming to the cafe when silence stirred about. The man did not want to “listen” to the young minds, He refused to “listen” to the hopeful people, because they may deter him from the despair he has come to love.
Hemingway not only uses the old man, but the waiters to drive his point, "I am of those who like to stay late at the cafe...” (pg. 4) The old waiter says here that he and the old man are the same, rather than one being better than the other, they are equals. He feels bad for the old man which is why he wants to keep the cafe open longer. Further in the story the old waiter recites a prayer, instead of using the actual words he says “nada” inferring that everything in life, down to religion is