Discussion Questions #2: Conflict "A Clean Well Lighted Place" and "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Discussion Questions on Clean Well Lighted Place

  1. How is the cafe different from a bar?
  2. How does the title make sense in terms of the story?
  3. Give some examples of "light" imagery in this story.
  4. Give some examples of "dark" imagery in this story.
  5. What does the young waiter state makes for happiness?
  6. What are the many reasons the old man goes to the cafe (don't just be literal).
  7. In what way is the cafe a symbol? Consider the title.
  8. What words are repeated in the story?
  9. What is the effect of the word "nada" (nothing in Spanish) inserted into the Lord's Prayer?
  10. What is the theme of this story?
  11. What is the conflict? __________ vs. _________
  12. What comment does the story make about modern man's spirituality and reason for living? In other words, state the central idea.
  13. What is distinctive and unusual about Hemingway's use of language?
  14. Why do you think that Hemingway is considered a "masculine writer?"

    Discussion Questions for Yellow Wallpaper:
  15. What does John, the husband do as a profession?
  16. What does his wife do for her "work"?
  17. What does he give as his wife's diagnosis?
  18. Why is she forbidden to "work"?
  19. Does the narrator (only referred to as John's Wife) have any children?
  20. What does the narrator see behind the wallpaper?
  21. How is this vision similar to her own situation (symbol?)
  22. What happens in reality at the end of the story?
  23. What is the narrator's conflict?
  24. Note that this story was written in 1896. How have women's lives changed since then?
  25. How have women's lives stayed the same?
  26. Do you think depression and oppression have improved for women?