Ernest Hemingway once compared literature to an iceberg saying that most of the mass in

beneath the surface of the sea. Hemingway explains that the heart of literature is not simply spelled out
on the surface of a story, but that the reader must research an understanding of the complex, hidden
meaning. On the surface Hemingways story A Clean Well-Lighted Place may appear to be about an old
man testing the patience of two waiters in the night at a caf, however thinking critically at a deeper
meaning of the story could reveal that the old man is using the caf as a necessary light of hope away
from his life of nothingness and despair.
Hemingway, Ernest. "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place." Literary Cavalcade 54.1 (2001): 17. Literary
Reference Center. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.
This particular article provides an annotation of Ernest Hemingways short story A Clean, Well-
Lighted Place. This is a credible source from the Literary Reference Center, which I chose to
support the theme throughout my research paper relating to nothingness in life, despair caused
by such nothingness and mans need of a light to endure desperation. For example, the article
explains, words are chosen by a writer not just to move the story along, but to create another,
deeper level of meaning. To get there, you need to read symbolically. This quote supports my
paper when I talk about Hemingways view of literature and how it is like a iceberg, meaning the
reader must look for the deeper meaning that is not on the surface. This source includes a full
text of Hemingways short story, as well as, analysis of subjects such as Hemingways writing
technique and background information on Hemingways life. This source has several strengths,
such as, many thought provoking criticisms along with detailed explanations relating to my
thesis. Weaknesses throughout this article include no specific author, however, it came from
the librarys database.
Adams, Michael. "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place." Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition
(2004): 1-2. Literary Reference Center. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.
This book source by Michael Adams is a summary and analysis of Ernest Hemingways A Clean
Well-Lighted Place, the topic of my research paper literary analysis. This article is from
Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition, which is a series of essays and short stories
assigned to curriculums in middle, high school and college students, which discuss content,
themes, structure and technique from writers. This article is well written, and easy to
understand, providing setting description of the story, possible themes and meanings, in
addition to Hemingways style and technique. All elements throughout the article are beneficial
strengths to supporting my research paper thesis, for example the article states, This old man
is clean. He drinks without spilling. Even now, drunk. This quote supports the idea that the old
man in Hemingways story finds dignity and self-respect in the caf and is a light from his usual,
sad life. Some weaknesses in the article would be that there was an author named, however, I
could not find information on his background in literature.
Hoffman, Steven K. "Nada And The Clean, Well-Lighted Place: The Unity Of Hemingway's Short
Fiction." Essays In Literature 6.1 (1979): 91-110. Literary Reference Center. Web. 26 Mar. 2013
This article by Steven Hoffman provides insight on the idea of nothingness throughout Ernest
Hemingways short story A Clean Well-Lighted Place. I chose this article because it has many
strengths that will be very helpful in supporting my research paper thesis, for example Steven
Hoffman in his article suggests the story is not about nada per se but the various available
human responses to it. This quote strengthens my thesis about a man needed a necessary light
in a life of nothingness and despair because the old man and the older waiter in Hemingways
story have developed the caf as a light in response to the nothingness in life. This source does
not include a full text of Hemingways story, however, it does examine the three characters
experience with nada or nothingness in A Clean Well-Lighted Place, and shows how the
concept transfuses into Hemingways work. An additional strength of this article is that is was
found in the Library Research Center and is very credible.
Leonard, John. "`A Man Of The World' And `A Clean, Well-Lighted Place': Hemingway's Unified View
Of Old Age." Hemingway Review 13.2 (1994): 62. Literary Reference Center. Web. 26 Mar.
2013.
In his article, John Leonard offers insight into the way Hemingway views old age in his story A
Clean Well -Lighted Place. This is a credible article from the Library Research Center contributes
a different look at old age and how it is synonymous with realizing the nothingness in life as a
person grows older, supporting my thesis of how a light is needed to cope with the nothingness.
In addition, John Leonard explores the physical and emotional connotations of old age as well as
isolation related to old age, explaining how the old man and the older waiter are alike and can
relate. The article explains The older waiter lives much like the old man apparently with no wife
and no niece, at the end to go home to his room, in other words the older waiter and old man
are alike. Leonards idea of consolation of light, and growing old with dignity, provide additional
strengths and support to my research paper.
Bennett, Warren. "Character, Irony, And Resolution In "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place." American
Literature 42.1 (1970): 70. Literary Reference Center. Web. 26 Mar. 2013.
This source analyzes the interpretation of Ernest Hemingways The Story of an Hour, as well as
irony within the short story. This article also acknowledges the differences between the older
waiter and the old man in Hemingways story. Furthermore, I chose this source because it is
relevant to my paper topic and will be very helpful and supportive. Bennett Warren in his article
says the older waiter The older waiter is unable to muster faith or confidence, in his life
outside of the caf, a life that lacks hope, faith and a light. From the Library Database, this
articles strengths include being credible and scholarly. This article also in not bias and includes a
different perspective of Hemingways story, which I plan to use to strengthen my argument of a
theme of a necessary light in a life of despair.