Symbolism in A Clean， Well—lighted Place， By Ernest Hemingway

【Abstract】Ernest Miller Hemingway is a renowned American novelist， short story writer and an incisive journalist. He is famous for his economical language. His concern about human life and “lost generation” has gained him a widespread reputation. A Clean， Well-lighted Place is a short story wrote by Hemingway in 1933， after world War One， which indicated the theme of Nihilism by using symbolism.

【Key words】Symbolism； Café； Shadow； Nihilism

I. Introduction

Ernest Miller Hemingway is an American short story writer， novelist and journalist who has enjoyed widespread reputation both home and abroad， he is particularly famous for his economical， incisive and meaningful language. His works has a profound influence on fictions of the 20th century.

This article gave a deep analysis on symbolism used in A Clean，Well-lighted Place and its significance on the delivering of the theme--Nihilism.

II. Symbolism in A Clean， Well-lighted Place

Symbolism is literary tool which uses different symbols in works to demonstrate symbolic meanings rather than the literal meanings. （ Literature Devices， 2015） Writers use symbolism to give a deeper and more profound meaning to their works.

1. Café

Café was the supposed sanctuary for people to ward off the depression and despair. （ Theme and Meanings， 2004） The café was the last resort and refuge where the old man could at least keep his dignity. As for the elder waiter， “ it was only that and light was all it needed and a certain cleanness and order”. （Ernest Miller Hemingway， 1933） Here the author concerned his real purpose： the café represents the order and cleanness of society the author wants and the average Americans want.

2. A Girl and A Soldier

In the story， a soldier with the brass number which indicated that he was in his enlistment hung out late in the evening， a girl hurriedly followed him without a hat， which was regarded as an indecent behavior for a lady at that time， so the girl might be a prostitute. The scene showed that pure love didnt exist anymore and instant yet immoral love prevailed. （SparkNotes Editors， 2007） All these could be the best demonstration of the crisis of faith and moral decay after the World War One and the Great Depression.

3. The Shadow of the Leaves and Brandy

The shadow is the protection for the old man form the worldly life outside.Under the shadow， he could keep and protect his dignity. He found the café as a refuge where he could observe other peoples life without disturbance and quietly enjoy other peoples companion. The brandy serves as a cure or medicine for him. Every since he drunk， he could forget the pain and suffering of real life and nothingness for a moment.

4. The Behavior of Two Waiters and the Old Man

The impatient young waiter belongs to those who are the worshiper of money and real materialists. The elder waiter and the old man are identical with each other. They represent people who were fully aware of the nothingness of life and doubt the meaning of living， but those still struggled in that corrupt society holding hope and tried to get rid of psychological agony. They wanted the order back and quested for old values and were eager to cast off the nihilism.

III. Significance of Symbolism

Symbols in this story help the readers gain a better understanding of the works theme.Through those symbols， the authors concern about moral decay， human condition and crises of faith was clearly showed. The using of symbolism make the article more penetrating and profound.

IV. Conclusion

A Clean， Well-lighted Place is a short story with profound themes， the nihilism implied in this story is well applicable for anyone of any generation. When facing chaos and darkness， one should always keep sympathy on others and keep ones dignity， morality and order need it， besides， money is not the solution to every problem and it certainly couldnt be the guarantee of happiness and peace.

References：

[1]Ernest，Hemingway.The short Stories of Ernest Hemingway[M].New York：MacMillian Publishing Company.1987.

[2]Literature Devices.（2015）.Retrieved December 11，2015， from：http：//literarydevices.net/symbolism/

[3]SparkNotes Editors.（2007）.SparkNote on A Clean，Well-Lighted Place.Retrieved December 11，2015，from http：//www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/a-clean-well-lighted-place/

[4]“Themes and Meanings” Comprehensive Guide to Short Stories，Critical Edition Ed.Charles E.May.eNotes.com，Inc.Retrieved11Dec，2015 from：http：//www.enotes.com/topics/clean-well-lighted-place/themes#themes-themes-and-meanings.

作者简介：刘晓森（1991-），女，汉，河南省平顶山市叶县任店镇，硕士在读，辽宁大学，英语语言文学。