Ernest Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" reflects the contrasts of youth and age. The characterizations and the symbolism illustrate that is not uncommon to become lonely and feel isolated with age. This is exemplified by the contrasts revealed between the two older men and the younger waiter. The two older men are portrayed as solitary, lonely, isolated individuals who feel that their lives are meaningless. The old man especially feels that his life is no longer worth living. The two older characters share a sense of despair, and it is only natural for them to seek out a comforting clean well-lighted place. The attitudes and emotions of the older men are contrasted with those of the younger waiter. The younger waiter is very eager and impatient to get on with life and he has no sympathy for the old man. The young waiter has no respect for the old man because he does not understand him. The mature waiter has much more empathy for the old man because he admires him and he understands his state of mind. It is clear that the older men have a different appreciation and understanding of the importance of life. Hemingway uses symbolism of light and darkness in order to better understand the characters. The clean well-lighted café has a much deeper meaning for the old man and mature waiter than it does for the younger waiter. It represents a familiar, comforting, secure environment where even an older person can maintain a sense of dignity. The darkness represents loneliness, insecurity and impending death. Hemingway's work, "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place", makes the point that the human condition changes with age as well as the appreciation for life, with the use of characterization and symbolism.
             The young waiter in the story is portrayed by Hemingway as a brash, impatient person. He is eager get on with life, and he thinks only about himself and his own future. He is in a ver...