The Need for a Clean Well-lighted Place

The short story “A Clean Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway consists of a dialogue that takes place between two waiters at a café, where they work. It is late and there is one customer, an old man, left in the café. The old man staying so late bothers the younger of the two waiters. All he can think about is going home to his wife waiting in bed for him. The older waiter seems to be more empathetic to the plight of the old man. He understanding the need for a clean well-lighted place such as the one they provide. The discussion between the two waiters reveals the differen...