A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

A Clean Well-Lighted Place is one of my favorite short stories. It was written by Ernest Hemingway in 1933. He is tainted by his misogyny and racism and probably a whole lot more, but this begs the question about the difference between the artist and the works they produced. Even though an artist is a horrible person, can you still like their work?

This story is only three pages long and features three unnamed characters: a young waiter, an old waiter, and an elderly cafe patron. Most of the story consists of dialogue between the waiters. The young waiter wants to close up and go home, while the old waiter prefers to keep the cafe open for those who may need a “clean, well-lighted place” where patrons feel some connection, safety, belonging. After the old man, the only patron, leaves, they close up. The young waiter, full of confidence and hope, goes home to his wife and the old waiter wanders the streets. He reflects on the positive qualities of comfort and meaning of his cafe, saying, “It was the light of course, but it is necessary that the place be clean and pleasant.”

He also has this self-reflection: “What did he fear? It was not a fear or dread. It was a nothing that he knew too well. It was all a nothing and a man was a nothing too. It was only that and light was all it needed and a certain cleanness and order.” His despair is that life is devoid of meaning and we are all nothing. Nothing matters. Nothing will make a difference. Nothing is everything.

It is true, there are those who want to burn it all down, move fast and break things, and drain stuff. But the metaphor of the story is clear: there are many, many others who are finding or creating a “clean, well-lighted place.” This may mean joining a movement, working for a worthy non-profit, volunteering, participating in one’s faith organization, and more. And this is how my interpretation circles back to the Age of the Heart. Part of the trauma affecting America is that for many there is not enough in their life that gives them meaning and purpose and autonomy and hope. They may feel passed by, overlooked, under appreciated and worse, Those who don’t have their own clean, well-lighted place can be nostalgic for a past time or bitter about the present.

What gives me hope is that there are conscious efforts to create “clean, well-lighted places” and perhaps more importantly there are people like the old waiter who will provide that sanctuary for others. Those are required skills for those to succeed in the Age of the Heart.