The Fear of Nothingness in Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place"

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, University of Freiburg, course: 20th Century American Short Stories, language: English, abstract: In his stylistic masterpiece, ¿A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,¿ Ernest Hemingway confronts his readers with the omnipresent fear of nothingness. The main characters of the story show different ways of dealing with that problem, but only the older waiter is able to present a satisfying solution. By establishing a haven for all desperate people who need a dignified place to dispel their fear, the old waiter has found his meaning in life and therefore, his way to combat his fear of nothingness. According to him, life does not need to be senseless and end in despair, as long as one keeps composure and protects one¿s own dignity and the dignity of others.