The Hemingway story, A Clean Well Lighted Place introduces the idea of a symbol or an epiphany in literature.An epiphany or a symbol is a single object, or concept that represents a larger idea (flag = patriotism; a "bull" market is an aggressive stock market).
The young waiter has his "todo" -everything: love, money, health. He is happy and does not understand why the old man and old waiter are unhappy. But ultimately he and we all must face the "nada" (nothingness) in our lives. What is meaningful in life? Everyone needs meaning, light, in their life (Many must have it… the story says).
The old man and the old waiter both face the same internal conflict (Hemingway would say it is everyone's conflict).The old man "needs" a clean well lighted place to combat the "nada" - nothingness in his life.
Edward Hopper: NightHawks at the Diner
As
a coffee drinker, Hopper's painting has always called to mind the simple
pleasure of a hot cup of coffee on a cold night
The café is the symbol of meaning/light for the old man and the old waiter. Spirituality, nature, love, art, maybe just a hot cup of coffee, these are "lights" for some.
The old man's internal conflict is man vs. himself (meaning vs. meaninglessness). The central idea of the story is that we all must define meaning in our lives.
This picture
shows a "bistro" where one might enjoy a glass of wine and some pleasant
conversation.
These are examples of "clean well lighted places".
What are some of the simple pleasures that give your life meaning?
What do you do to "treat" yourself when life is getting you down?