“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”
Study Questions
1. Remember that Hemingway was a crafty symbolist. Examine the first paragraph:
Where exactly does the old man sit, and how might it be symbolic?
2. What details do we learn about the old man in the first paragraph?
3. How are the setting and title related?
4. What is the conflict of the story?
5. Which waiter is empathic to the old man’s situation? Why does he show empathy,
while the other waiter does not?
6. This story presents three characters: A young waiter, a middle-aged waiter, and
an old man. How does each man react to his life?
a. If we examine these characters symbolically as the three stages of human
existence—young, middle-age, and old—what statement does this story
make?
b. Do you agree with this portrayal of the human existence, or is it overly
pessimistic? Explain.
7. How is the old man an example of the Hemingway Code? (Although he does not
exhibit all characteristics of a Hemingway hero, he does exhibit some.)
8. The central theme of the story, that everyone needs “a clean, well-lighted place”
is meant to be viewed metaphorically. Explore this idea.
9. In what way(s) can this be considered a nihilistic work?
10. This story certainly operates under Hemingway’s iceberg principal.
a. What key details does he purposely omit? (What things about the
characters would we like to know?)
b. Make speculative answers to these questions.
11. What characteristics of Hemingway’s iconic writing style are evident in this
work?
In true Hemingway style, this seemingly simple story is deceptively complex.
Hopefully, these questions have helped you appreciate Hemingway’s artful mastery!