Hemingway¡¯s "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" centers around the conversation of two waiters in a comfortable, homey Spanish cafe. They are discussing one of the regulars, a quiet, dignified old man who comes into the cafe every evening and drinks brandy which he is careful to pay before leaving for the night. He has, we discover, recently attempted suicide. The old man is definitely the dramatis personae and draws more attention of readers. The older waiter is even nameless, but he links the old man and the younger waiter. The characterization on him deepens our understanding of the story.
From the conversation between the older waiter and his colleague, we can find that the younger of the two waiters is impatient with the old man; he just wishes the customer would quit drinking and go home, so that the waiter could go home too. He cannot relate to whatever causes the old man to nurse so many drinks over so long a period, night after night, in the quiet cafe. He especially cannot understand what could have led the old man to attempt suicide, because the old man "has plenty of money," and the young waiter cannot imagine a source of despair any more profound than a shortage of ready cash. Compared with his college, the older waiter
These two simple sentences show the hollow inside of the older waiter.
¡°Everything but work.¡± (Sui Gang 17)
¡°He had better get off the street now. The guard will get him¡¡±
¡°This is a clean and pleasant caf¨¦. It is well lighted. The light is very good and also, now, there are shadows of the leaves.¡± (Sui Gang Page 17)
¡°L¡¯m of those who like to stay late at the caf¨¦. With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night.¡± (Sui Gang Page 17)
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