Ernest Hemingway Research Paper

Ernest Hemingway’s writings emerged through the 1920’s. His novels and stories were direct and simple, although it had many abstract and complex meanings. In one of his greatest works, “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”, Hemingway tells a story about a lonely old man who drinks in a bar, one night. At first, readers are led to believe the story is about the old man. The two waiters watch and discuss about the old man, which gives the readers a sense of their characters. Hemingway then effectively shows the difference between the two waiters. The older waiter shows sympathy and understanding of the old man, while the young waiter doesn’t. The author concludes the story by the older waiter closing his “Clean, Well-Lighted Place” then going to another “Clean, Well-Lighted Place”. Hemingway’s piece is straightforward but has deeper meanings. In the short story, “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”, Ernest Hemingway demonstrates multiple themes.

After the one waiter asked how the old man attempt to commit suicide end, he responded, “‘His niece… Fear for his soul… He’s got plenty [of money]’”. Throughout the story, Hemingway displayed a pessimistic outlook on life, showing that people even who are rich, happy, and with a family will ultimately become lonely, dismal, and drunk. “‘You have youth, confidence and a job… You have everything.’ [The old waiter said.] ‘And what do you lack?’ [The young waiter asked.] ‘Everything but work.’” The author creates three characters, who have different ages, that illustrates that as we become older, we become more unhappy, which may lead to an extreme case of suicide or drunkenness. In relation to real life, in Ernest Hemingway’s end, he suffered a physical health decline, depression, and conclusively suicide. The readers can infer that story has a heavy influence Hemingway’s