A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

Hemingway's "A Clean Well-Lighted Place"  acts as a straightforward, dispassionate piece, and has the vibe of an unfinished short story. On the other hand, by digging deeper into the tone you can see how  meaningful this story is. The reality is hidden underneath the emotional darkness, loneliness, and depression caused by the nada, the nothingness. 

Darkness is the primary element that must be revealed when analyzing the theme of the story. The symbol of an vacant, hollow life, surrounds the elderly man and the oldest waiter. They both are victims of dread, loneliness, misery, and "nada." They suppose a "clean well-lighted cafe" a retreat from the empty night. For them, the cafe with its luminosity and cleanliness is the haven in darkness, where they can overlook their worries. The eldest waiter says, “This is a clean and pleasant cafe. It is well lighted. The light is very good". Unfortunately, the illumination which calms their nerves and brings warmth to their souls is only temporary. Their lack of confidence does not allow them overcome the devastating darkness in their lives

Hemingway leaves the readers with nothing,  possibly to enhance the vibe of "nada" and comprehend the connections between darkness, loneliness, and depression.