Understanding "A Clean Well-lighted Place"

A walk-through of the story including setting, characters, and themes by a college prof --Like Rebecca? Her book of poems, first published by Pecan Grove Press of St. Mary's University, is now in an e-edition here: www.smashwords...

[@cherjiang4721]

This is not really an academic reaction to your wonderful analysis, but I just started crying as I heard you extracting themes from this short story. Enduring quarantine has got me feeling exactly like the old waiter about sleep, and I appreciated hearing my feelings of dread and unease put into words. Thank you for this video.

[@Leo-lx6oo]

agreed

[@justinduncan8337]

instablaster...

[@Okechi]

I left English literature as the last class. I feared the analysis essays and since I am an esl student I feared this class the most. I listen and read the stories. Take 10 mins to think about it then see your videos. I sincerely thank you.

[@SixMinuteScholar]

You're very welcome! I hope the videos help take some fear out of the class. Since you are reading, listening, and watching, I think you will do well!

[@edwardgaines6561]

I know it's 5 years old, but thank you as well. I'm not a quick study, so I had to reread some parts twice, especially the "God's Prayer" part.

[@salemsali80]

Your videos are very helpful, I really love watching them.

[@kevinreily2529]

I really like your analysis. Hemingway was such an incredible writer of short stories, not just novels.

[@lynnlynn9124]

He was too depressing for someone who can relate to his darker side.

[@dwarpmunder]

Thank you for putting that interpretation into words, I really appreciate the clarity.

[@squid1481]

I must have watched this 4 times in preparation for an English oral exam It helped me understand the story a lot, thank you I got an A!

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Cool! Satre and Camus -- yes! I can see a fruitful discussion there. The "nothing" takes on deeper significance in that light. Thanks for adding that dimension!

[@almohvn33]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFULLY DONE! THANK YOU.. ALL CAPS!!!! This is now.. one of my favorite Hemingway pieces. I had never read it til today.. with 5 glasses of wine! WOW1

[@kennethcook8857]

I remember studying this short story in depth in a college literature course, back in the 1980s. Arguably the best example of existential short fiction ever written.

[@Aiden_feuerborn]

Wow. I’m a sophomore in high school studying this story, that’s crazy.

[@nellafantasia95]

Thank you! I love how you explain the story. It's easy to understand and very useful.

[@surabhipandey600]

I literally loved the way you explained the story. The articulation and way of interpreting the plots was excellent. keep it up :)

[@KiaSynthesis]

Omg I’m so glad that I came across your channel 😭😭😭 your analysis helps me understand A LOT!

[@meesalikeu]

certainly hem spent a lot of time in spain and loved it, but i always felt the model for the cafe here was the closerie de lilas in paris. while i'm probably wrong, at least it seems likely its a combo of places in france, spain and who knows where. it could be anywhere, almost, except that its clearly euro, where at the end of the night they lock the doors, but have a tradition of not rushing the last guests out at closing time as they do in america. this adds to a further sense of an elegiac, out of place loneliness or ennui for the english reader. also trvia -- james joyce called this the greatest short story ever written. not bad praise!

[@kaylaadams6417]

It was wonderful to hear your perspective on this short story. It was confusing before I heard you put it into context. Thank you.

[@samnangpoe]

hmmm for whatever reason i've always thought it was an interior setting lol. love your video!

[@surffiend757]

Thank you or this. You have helped me struggle through 2 papers this semester. These stories are hard to figure out

[@bad-girlbex3791]

The premise of this short story is rooted in the sense of displacement felt by Hemingway and so many other men - broken men who feature heavily in his works - in the aftermath of the First World War. The cafe is a 'clean, well-lighted place' that the old man turns to for solace and shelter (his being deaf and 'feeling' the changes in his surroundings allude to him perhaps also being a former casualty of war, or some other traumatic experience), but he is not permitted to stay as long as he would like. His sanctuary in the cafe is to be as fleeting as the pleasures gained by the passing soldier and the woman (prostitute?) which in turn reflects the post-war sense of impermanence - of places like home, or a familiar and civilised cafe. The war left many feeling displaced. More still were actually physically displaced. The fact that the old man cannot stay as long as he wants or needs is a metaphor for those who after the war, no longer have a sanctuary, a home or a safe place to just be. I think the old man is Hemingway himself too, showing how he now has no permanent sanctuary from the world; taking only temporary respite in whatever 'clean, well-lighted place' he happens to come across on a cool, quiet, lonely night.

[@imaadashraf1938]

Well depicted..

[@rmarcil9567]

I enjoy your perspective on the story insofar as you talk about the feeling of war or trauma and the displacement that follows. However, to me, this story is very much about mortality, and the difference between youth and getting older. Is also about the foolishness and impatience of persons who are young, and have their confidence, youth and vitality but they don't really even realize how fleeting it is.... it's impossible for the young waiter to see himself in the shoes of the older man but he will be there someday. When that day comes, is the older waiter knows, it will be necessary and needed for all such persons who are closing in on death to have a clean well-lighted place to go.

[@katherinetonelli6872]

I just wanted to say thank you for this video. It helped so much and I just admire how kind your voice sounds! It was so nice to watch (:

[@gmatt3813]

Thank you. Your concise explamation helped me prove what I wanted. I cited you properly.

[@TalentedDilittante]

No! There is no confusion about who is speaking: “I am of those who like to stay late at the café,” the older waiter said. “With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night.” (ONE PARAGRAPH, NOT TWO! The form is the older waiter's . . . Speech-Attribution-Speech.) The following comment is not a new paragraph but, rather, a continuation of the older waiter's comment, and then only, followed in a new paragraph by the comment from the young waiter.) Look at the page again: By chance, the Speech-Attribution fills the printed line to the end, leaving no room on the same line for the following continuation of his dialogue, consequently leaving the continuation to begin on a new line (but, still part of the older waiter's comment!) Again: dialogue-Attribution-Dialogue. . . . and THEN, the young waiter says, “I want to go home and into bed. . . . leaving NO confusion about who is speaking.”

[@LeeHarding-k3l]

This was a very helpful analysis! Thank you so much!

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Aww . . . Wish it had been up in time to help you!

[@kkjku6089]

Loved this video, you are a great explainer and I was interested the entire time. I subscribed.

[@amgd62]

Thanks for your terrific analysis

[@hdawg685]

Thank you so much for your explanation. It is so helpful to me and you speak so nicely!

[@kkristeenuh]

Where was this video 3 weeks ago?! Just kidding! Thank you so much for posting this!

[@anushrees7016]

Thank you so much, Your analysis was brilliant

[@lianjuhernandez]

This is very helpful! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and knowledge. Cheers from Colombia!

[@be3ma]

thank you this opened my eyes to Hemingway's genius

[@SixMinuteScholar]

You're soooooooo welcome! Happy to help.

[@jixxxxer17]

Excellent analysis ! Just saying the title , " A Clean Well-lighted Place " can bring comfort to some folks, Peace !

[@DezaahPessoa]

Thank you sooo much! This made my life so much easier. XX from Brazil

[@williamburch1321]

Thanks so much for the video. Helped a ton!

[@SixMinuteScholar]

You're welcome! I so glad it helped!

[@thereforez5863]

Thank you so much because I was lost. Thank you x infinity!

[@MajaLjubovna]

It's my favourite Hemingway story :)

[@FirstReviewer]

I didn't think that there was much to this story when I first read it. After reading the comments here, and after listening to what you posted there seems to be a lot more to this short story. Hemingway has a way of writing that is somewhat confusing as you pointed out. Like you, I took a copy of the story and marked everyone's part, including any and all referenced pronouns. There are a couple of vague references as to who's saying what that one could make an argument over, but those arguments would not change the outcome of the story's message. Your analysis of this story is spot on, and very helpful. I'm not sure about this, but how would you stack up Hemingway's writing here, as to Hawthorne's "The Birthmark?" As others have said here in their comments, you are helping us all in finding a broader meaning to these writings with your reviews. Keep up the Good Works. FR

[@mansirana3693]

thank you for the video and explaining the story so well

[@julla1416]

Great video!!!

[@ticks4ticks4]

Nihilism -- might be a consideration ("Nada...) ---just one interpretation.

[@pedroforonda]

I agree with the nihilistic interpretation of the story.

[@irasharma87]

Extremely helpful!!! Thank you!!

[@eottoe2001]

TY. I reread the story for the first time in 40 years and was lost. It makes sense again. (I'm wondering if the nada in the prayer is the no-thing of the Buddhists?)

[@almohvn33]

I love Hemingway, though not his life style (bull fighting).. (sick).. but his writing just MOVES me. He takes us to those places noone know, the times and the .... spaces we have lived in for .. a few minutes. I do think one has to have lived overseas to really feel this.

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Thanks. Your comment inspires me!

[@Kello1231]

When you talk about the verbal exchange, isn't it obvious from the indentation whereby a new indent implies a change of character speaking?

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Right. It's ambiguous on the page because H isn't always conforming to that rule. It does look like the speaker changes, so that could be the final conclusion -- except that the comment doesn't match what that speaker says. Hence, the debate. :-)

Thank you so much for this video! I understand it in a better way now! thanks again :)

[@SixMinuteScholar]

I'm glad! You are welcome!

[@gtm4463]

thank you sooooo much! 🙏

[@greenygreen29]

I would like to watch some longer videos of yours , you really explain well and ı would watch your videos even if they were 20 mins long

[@rmohler32]

This story is about avoiding despair. The clean, well-lighted place is one in which we seek to control the uncontrollable. The real light needed in a human's life comes not from a manufactured street light and whiskey, but from the light of Christ.

[@insanegamer5313]

Excellent!!!!

[@farahsavira]

your explanation totally helped me to write my english lit essay. Thank you!

[@tristanarmstrong8604]

your videos are extremely helpful....thank you !!

[@EcemRockZ]

your videos are really helpful.. i love them thank you xx

[@e.tlindt8123]

Thank you!

[@penismightier1]

I'll repeat what others have said: brilliant :)

[@budmckechnie]

Nice analysis. You might have added that the climax and the crisis occur at the very end when the old waiter finally gets to sleep only after the sun rises. Symbolically the sun delivers light (wisdom) and heat (companionship.) Both of these items are what Hemingway substitutes for the religious values destroyed by Nihilism. Thus the resolution to this story is establishing knowledge and companionship to replace the lack of the destroyed values of Christianity. Ironically Hemingway is re-establishing two of the three Christian virtues: faith and love, although he neglects any reference to the now missing middle theological virtue of hope.

[@Alice-ld5kg]

Thank you so much! This helped me a lot !

[@sebastianhadjidimitris9503]

great job! thanks!

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Cool!

[@danbrown7042]

Quite helpful

[@SixMinuteScholar]

So glad!

[@SocratesTheWiseOne-tr3uf]

Great job but how did you get an outdoor seating area cafe from a clean well lighted place?

[@ReelAnglerReviews]

Thanks so much! Also, do you see a correlation between how the cafe is set up and how the train station from Hills Like White Elephants works?

[@Anastazjaaaaaaa]

Thank you so much 👍🏻

[@Jennstahlove]

What else is there to say about the story? I'm curious :)

[@Steyk3]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@rogeradamson9268]

Nice contemporary overview - you should consider posting a companion video reading the complete text. Most vids of this are abysmal and bizarrely often cut out the ending.

[@SixMinuteScholar]

What a good idea! I'm amazed that anyone would cut out the ending. Good grief!

[@jessiemeguinis9866]

I thought in the story it was the older waiter who wanted to go home and be with his wife and it's the young waiter who thinks differently.

[@J2Junction]

Thank you

[@ulysses1320]

Thank you ma’am!

[@chrisalvarez8500]

so is the cafe the well light clean place?

[@arjundahal1779]

Thank you😍😍😍

[@SixMinuteScholar]

You're welcome!

[@DemiLeGatto]

well done thank you

[@TaisiiaFlorida2024]

❤❤❤

[@miguel-vv9zh]

thank u so much

[@danaalf2624]

thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanx you really helped me alooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot you made things really clear you are amazing !

[@funnyisthename]

Thanks a lot! :D

[@bakersandconfectionerslaho5971]

Thanks a lot Maaaam!!!

[@amgd62]

Can we kill loneliness or can loneliness kill us ? Is being that old a curse ?

[@brownboycali5958]

It was very helpful

[@ajunebug1]

Thank you so much! This will really help me with my Lit final tomorrow!

[@Yusei797]

I feel like what i understood from the story is the old man is lonely and to fight his loneliness he tries to get drunk and use his drunk imagination to get ride of his sadness and depression

[@pedroforonda]

Thanks for the insight, however i think the nada is more universal. It’s not temporary like a short term melancholy. It runs deep in the story. It is the existence of nothingness. The nada of God is reflected in the prayer. The young waiter is so confident because he has a wife, but there is a hint that perhaps if he goes home too early his wife might be in bead with someone else and all his confidence will be nada.

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Good points! Thanks for adding this.

[@abdel-moumenpepe5976]

First i was like this is very helpful, but when you said "there is a lot to say about the story" i was shocked. Jk & thnx for everything babe that was very useful .

[@SixMinuteScholar]

You're welcome!

[@eclairz9275]

Outside? I imagined it was inside.

[@SixMinuteScholar]

Eclairz Oops! Did I say the story took place outside? I will have to listen and check that. Sorry!

[@cassandrakrivyhirsch8487]

This story, in the time of COVID-19, is one I've assigned my students to read this week. Do you have some thoughts about how to relate it to the loneliness people are experiencing in stay-at-home and quarantine/lock down mode? I thought to prompt them in a way that forms community, rather than emphasizing loneliness - to counter/process/push back against the story's theme, even as we delve into its meaning. Thank you for your incisive explanations!

[@neilcam2001]

I was trying to find a short story about a guy,a waiter as I recall.,who asks a friend to charge at him with a carving knife do he can practise bullfighting. The waiter or whoever is killed. The other fictional waiter who always keeps reappearing in my thoughts is one in sartre's Nausea. He is given as an example of how people in their chosen role in life don't act but ARE the person they live in... In this case a waiter. In woody Allen's manhattan there is a scene at a cafe and the camera catches the waiter at work in the bsvkggtound and he is for me sartre's existential waiter. Is it the brandy running through my bloodstream now or just that this is the first time I have looked at her as a waitress rather than a beautiful sexy woman? But she doesn't seem like a waitress. I don't mean she is a student and a part time waitress just that being a waitress is not who she is. Maybe I will feel different next time I come in and I haven't had s brandy.

[@gabbyhyman1246]

a Starbucks reference? The old man gestured to the waiter and demanded "another decaf mocha"! Hemstein is spinning in his grave. (joking)

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Maugham needs anyone to tell someone else what the story tells?

[@mubangakapopo9725]

Nothingness is the sanctuary

[@tmac8892]

Nothing. Nada. Life is nothing. Meaningless pain in a meaningless universe.

[@jzen1455]

i would have slapped sense into the impatient and unempathetic younger waiter.

[@alg11297]

You can really pretend there's something to a 3 page story. The confusion of who spoke what could have easily been repaired by Hemingway give the waiters names, or for that matter the old man a name. And you think a deaf old man finds some kind of solace sitting alone in a cafe, with drink after drink, right after he tried to killed himself? More important, is there an point to this story?

[@ameer-iq6395]

حمدلله نقذتيني

[@petebyrne5190]

Don’t explain this, if you need it explained it’s not for you.

[@alaskalograft]

Leave it alone ffs. Hemingway doesn't need your lame analysis.

[@ThePetergate]

Thank you.

[@SixMinuteScholar]

You're welcome!

[@MA-rc2eo]

Thank you.