Essay Sample on A Clean, Well-Lighted Place: Hemingway's Autobiographical Criticism

Introduction

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place is a short narrative authored by Ernest Hemingway and narrated of events between two waiters and an old and deaf client in a cafe at night. The story offers a fantastic autobiographical literary criticism basis because of how Hemingway writes his content and its applicability to experiences in many people's lives. Throughout the story, various themes are highlighted, such as the theme of age, the meaning of life, and what people tend to value most. Hemingway impressively creates a story that challenges one's thoughts to delve deeper into the status of the characters to reveal typical ideas and emotions that easily blend with our personal lives. This paper will provide an autobiographical literary criticism of the short story and later relate it to a specific personal experience.

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As a clean, well-lighted place begins, Hemingway uses the right tone throughout the short story. He does not judge any of the characters. While the young waiter shows impatience and hurries to get home to his wife, Hemingway tells it with striking neutrality. Hemingway does not make an impression to the audience as to how to perceive the older waiter or the drunk older man. This neutrality is critical in triggering the audience's imagination without corrupting the perceptions and attitudes they hold towards any of the characters. Besides, Hemingway supports his neutral tone through the use of imagery. He describes several events and objects in the story with numerous details. These details are vital for a reader to create a mental picture that represents the settings. Imagery is critical in aiding the audience to become engrossed with a story. Through imagery, one feels the alienation each of the characters has. The two older gentlemen, the older waiter and the deaf drunkard find life meaningless and unexciting. On the other hand, the younger waiter is excited to be married, employed, and confident. Hemingway's diction is descriptive and depicts clear images of the events in the short story.

Hemingway also uses symbolism to give hope to an otherwise gloomy story. Although the elderly waiter and the deaf drunkard no longer enjoy life, the cafe is a representation of the little things that they can still do. The older waiter likes closing late at night as he has nothing else to do. He has insomnia, thereby, does not require to get home early to sleep like his colleague. The deaf drunkard frequents the cafe, and at times, he drinks too much and fails to pay despite having a lot of money. However, he enjoys sitting on the outside tables and enjoy the lighting. Hemingway uses the light as a symbol of momentarily feeling alive, getting rid of the insecurity and emptiness of life as an older person.

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place resonated with an experience I had in the past. I once visited a convenience store to purchase a soft drink, where I met an older woman who was excitedly conversing with a younger woman. At first, I thought the two women were together, but the more youthful lady walked away, paid for her items, and left in a hurry. The older woman had noticed me while I came into the store, and she made her way towards me. Her voice was soft, tender, and sweet. I replied to her kindly since I felt she was the same age as my grandmother. As she kept complimenting me several things, especially how I look, I politely answered with "thank you mom" as I tried to locate a lime bubble-it-up soda. When I found it and closed the fridge door behind me, the old lady was standing there looking at me, and it caused me to panic. I told her that I had found what I was looking for, and I had to leave. She asked, "aren't you going to buy a Pepsi for your grandma?" I quickly replied, "no, mom. I do not know if you are allowed to take that. You might have some disease that prevents you from eating certain foods and drinks." The old lady was offended that I associated her with the disease. She started shouting at me, and the store manager who nearby came to my rescue. I was traumatized, for I did not know how to feel about that scenario. My implication about a possible health condition came from a place of concern rather than insult or condemnation.

As I paid for my soda, the gentleman at the counter apologized. He said that the old lady lived nearby and often came to the store with her daughter. In the recent past, her mental condition had deteriorated. She tended to aggressive when one failed to fulfill her demands. The lady's daughter, Connie, had been notified. She would collect her mother, momentarily. He informed me that Connie, the elderly lady's daughter, would have to get her mother a nurse or put her in a nursing home. The young waiter's experience with the deaf drunkard reminded me how difficult it could be to understand the elderly at the time. It is even more challenging to know how to best integrate your life with theirs in a way that they will not feel alienated. The mention of the niece who cut the rope the deaf drunkard had intended to hang himself with reminded me of Connie's dilemma. Putting myself in their shoes, handling the elderly requires some level of skills.

Reading A Clean, Well-Lighted Place triggered different feelings. First, it is hard to decide whether to pity the deaf drunk or to try and understand him. He is an older man with money and a niece that cares for him. That combination is not universal; thereby, it gives him an advantage that could allow him to enjoy life. However, not all people value money or family. The old deaf man appears to drink to forget his life is meaningless as he drinks every night. However, he ensures to keep his dignity, showing that he cares about the image he creates in public. One finds it hard to support or condemn him as the circumstances surrounding his life are unclear.

Conclusion

The behavior of the young waiter triggered thoughts on how the young relate with the elderly. The young waiter is not only impatient, but he also wishes that the deaf man had killed himself. These sentiments originate from the young waiter's desire to leave work before time to be with his wife. The young waiter perceives his time as more valuable than that of the deaf customer or his employer. The young man's attitude appears rude, inconsiderate, imprudent, and unprofessional. However, it is not surprising that the young waiter may feel that way. He is not only young but also belongs to a different generation from his older colleague and the deaf drunkard. Their priorities and views of the world are diverse. Besides, in a highly individualized society, it is not surprising that each of the characters appears to want circumstances to favor them. Who is to say that the elderly gentlemen needed to be miserable in life and could not find something fulfilling to do? Staying up late at night appealed to them, and they could add to this list, which would help create some form of meaning.

Reference

Hemingway, E. (1933). A clean, well-lighted place. The short stories of Ernest Hemingway, 379-83.