Essays on A Clean Well Lighted Place

The main idea of A Clean, Well-Lighted Place is the importance of finding a place where one can feel safe and comfortable. The story centers on an elderly man who frequents a cafe for its cleanliness and well-lit atmosphere. He is a regular customer and the staff know him by name. One night, he comes in late and requests a drink. The young waiter is eager to close up and go home, but the man insists on staying. The waiter eventually relents and serves him. The old man then asks for another drink, and the waiter obliges. The two men sit in silence until the old man finally leaves. The story ends with the waiter reflecting on the old man and the importance of having a clean, well-lit place to go to.