One of the marvels about Ernest Hemingway are the similarities that can be found throughout his different works. It does not matter whether he has written a short story or a book since there are certain writing elements that are vital to Hemingway and his writing. The connections to be found by juxtaposing "Cat in the Rain" and "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" will be examined and by focusing attention on recurring topics subtly implied in the stories, such as existentialism, where the meaning in life or lack thereof is put forth. The parallels between his writings will become clear and it will be easier to distinguish which topic is more prominent within the story.
In both the "Cat in the Rain" and A Clean Well-Lighted Place there is emphasis on the emptiness life or the "nothing" however, it is expressed in distinct ways in each story.
Ernest Hemingway in Milan, 1918
English: Waiter with turban in Coffee House, Banga...
English: Douglas Coupland reading Eleanor Rigby at...The emptiness in "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" is evident in the first page of the story when the two waiters are having a discussion about an elderly man that visits the café at night. One waiter comments on the customer and says, "Last week he tried to commit suicide" (380). Sadly, suicide is the ultimate (ultimate meaning permanent) action that cannot be revoked (unless you survive) and is thus taken only after life seems devoid of meaning. When asked as to why the old man would commit suicide the waiter replies that it was over "nothing" since "he has plenty of money" (379). This is the first time in the story that the idea of nothing is introduced. The notion is put forth by one of the waiters that if the old man is trying to killing himself while he is more than just financially secure he must have been...