A Clean Well-Lighted Place By Ernest Hemingway

In “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway begins with the two waiters working late at night and watching an old man from afar drinking his brandy. One waiter, who was young, was waiting anxiously for the old man to leave so he can go home and sleep. Whereas, the older waiter who also works there, was being patient and did not seem to mind that the old man was sitting alone in the Cafe late at night. As the waiters were watching the old man , one of the waiters said that the old man tried to commit suicide, but mentions that the suicide did not succeed. The other waiter then seems to be confused on why the old man would try to kill himself if he has everything. So, is there a cure for emptiness or loneliness?

As we read, they are
Existentialism, means that humans define their own life and how they would want to live in it. We don't really much see that in this story because the author is trying to have us really think what is going on in the old man’s head when he tried commiting suicide and how he is dealing with his emptiness, but we don’t see anything in his mind. We see that he only lives off his life by is going to the cafe at three in the morning and drink Brandy. That is what keeps the old man alive and away from his problems is by being out. Also, with the older waiter we don't see why he is feeling lonely, we read that he tends to go to a bodega when he wants to forget his problems as well. Most people tend to stay home to deal with their problems, but in reality it is unhealthy. That is why people mean when they say “You should go out more, and forget your problems”. Everyone should continue living their life , even if their significant other is not present. The author wants us to think that the old man and the older waiter has nothing in life, and how it is also painful for them to live a life with nothing. In the end, the author shows that there is an only way to forget about that feeling and that is being in a well lighted