Ernest Hemingway: Life, Work, and Legacy
Vocabulary for Graphic Analysis
Upward Trends
- Increase
- Go up
- Take off
- Shoot up
- Soar
- Jump
- Rise
- Grow
- Improve
- Rocket
Downward Trends
- Decrease
- Go/Come down
- Fall
- Fall off
- Drop
- Slump
- Decline
- Slip
- Shrink
No Change
- Remain stable
- Level off
- Stay at the same level
- Remain constant
- Stagnate
- Stabilize
The graphic shows…
Ernest Hemingway: A Concise Biography
Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) was an American writer known for his simple and direct writing style. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, he began his career as a journalist. Hemingway did not attend college; instead, he chose to experience life through travel, war, and adventure.
He served as an ambulance driver in World War I, a reporter during the Spanish Civil War, and a correspondent in World War II. His experiences influenced his novels, which often focused on themes like war, love, courage, and loss. Some of his most famous works include The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, and The Sun Also Rises.
Hemingway won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 and the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. Despite his success, he struggled with depression, alcoholism, and health problems. He died by suicide in 1961 at his home in Idaho.
Key Facts About Ernest Hemingway
1. Why is Hemingway important?
He revolutionized writing with short, simple sentences and profound ideas about life, war, love, and bravery. Many writers learned from him.
2. When and where was he born?
He was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois.
3. Did he go to college?
No, he worked as a reporter after high school because he sought real-life adventures.
4. Where did he live and work?
He lived in Paris, Key West, Cuba, and Idaho, and he wrote books inspired by these places.
5. What is special about his writing?
He used short sentences and left deeper meanings for readers to interpret.
6. What did he like doing?
He loved fishing, hunting, traveling, and exciting activities like bullfighting.
7. What did he write about?
His books discuss war, love, courage, loneliness, and struggles in life.
8. What problems did he have?
He had depression, drank excessively, and had health problems. He died in 1961.
9. What awards did he win?
He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in 1954 for his literary works.
How did he die?
Ernest Hemingway died by suicide on July 2, 1961, at his home in Ketchum, Idaho. He used a shotgun to end his life.
Reflections on “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”
In my opinion, this short story conveys a message that in life you have to have connections with people—friends, family, and others—because without these connections, you will be alone, and that is not good.
Genre of A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
The story is modernist fiction. It focuses on existential themes and is known for its minimalist style and emphasis on internal struggles.
Main Elements of the Story
Protagonist
The older waiter is the protagonist. He represents understanding, empathy, and the need for meaning in life.
Characters
- The Old Man: A lonely customer who seeks refuge in the café to avoid despair.
- The Older Waiter: Sympathetic to the old man’s struggles and reflective about life.
- The Younger Waiter: Impatient and dismissive, representing a lack of empathy and a focus on personal convenience.
Plot
The story takes place in a café late at night, where two waiters observe an old man drinking alone. The younger waiter is eager to leave, while the older waiter sympathizes with the man’s loneliness. The older waiter reflects on the importance of a “clean, well-lighted place” as a refuge from the darkness of despair.
Context
Written in the early 1930s during the Great Depression, the story reflects the existential crisis and sense of emptiness that many people felt in the modern world.
Conflict
The primary conflict is internal: the older waiter struggles with feelings of isolation, meaninglessness, and his understanding of the old man’s need for comfort. There is also a minor interpersonal conflict between the older and younger waiter due to their differing perspectives.
Explored Themes
- Loneliness: The story highlights human isolation and the need for connection.
- Meaninglessness: It reflects existential questions about the purpose of life and the fear of “nothingness.”
- Empathy vs. Apathy: The older waiter’s compassion contrasts with the younger waiter’s indifference.
- Refuge in Routine: The café represents a sanctuary for those struggling with despair.
IB Prescribed Themes
- Identity: The older waiter questions his role and existence in a meaningless world.
- Human Nature: Explores universal emotions like loneliness, despair, and the need for solace.
- Experiences: Reflects on the shared human experience of aging, loneliness, and seeking comfort in routine spaces.