A Personable and Dull Place

Linden “Kelsey” Napier

Mrs. S. Aiken

ENGL 1102-50

September 9, 2009

A Personable and Dull Place

The setting is the time and place for which a work takes place. The settings in A Clean, Well Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway gives off a personal, but dull atmosphere. The initial setting included an empty, quiet café, where only an old man and two waiters, young and old, were present. The second setting was very similar to the initial setting, where only a bartender and the old waiter were present.

The story takes place very late at night, after everyone else has headed home for the evening. This portrays a very personable atmosphere, where if given the chance the three men could get to know one another and have a good time, however they decided to be against one another. This setting would give the men a chance to talk and understand each other. Maybe even the two waiters could communicate with the old, deaf man and apprehend what his problems are. Even in the bar, where only the old waiter and the bartender were present, there was still hostility among the two men. The bartender did not intend to converse with the old waiter.

Both settings also give off the sense of dullness. If others passed by and saw what was going on in the café and bar, they would not want to enter and partake of what was taking place. Both settings seemed to be very boring and unwelcoming.

The setting contributed a lonely and sad theme to the story. Readers would see that both the old, deaf man and the old waiter were both lonely and sad old men. They both need and want company, and for someone to show them love and know that they are loved.

I DEFINITELY know I am not finished, and that this a very rough, rough draft! : )