Ernest Hemingway
1899-1960 Biography
“A Clean, Well Lighted Place”
The story presents a study in contrasts; discuss your view on the following
Youth and age Belief and doubt
What is Hemingway’s purpose for repeating, so many times, the word “nada”?
Do you think the author, through the narrator, thinks that one of the “waiters” has a more acceptable philosophy?
Light and darkness
Selfishness and Compassion
In terms of tone and style, how would you contrast “A Clean, Well Lighted Place” and “Barn Burning”?
Hemingway’s tone: unexcitable dispassionate impassive emotionless sober
What are your thoughts on his character?
Like “A & P” and “Greasy Lake,” “Barn Burning” is an initiation story. What is it that young Sarty has learned by the end of the story?
FIN
While aging brings, to most, an eclectic array of coping mechanisms for death, some people with little religious faith may seek to approach the impending void (death) by clinging to environments that offer solace in times of despair: such comfort may effect in them a keener sense of compassion, sensitivity to others, human connectedness, ritual, honor, stoic endurance, and dignity.
Possible Theme for “Barn Burning” based on an analysis of the primary conflicts: protagonist vs. self, protagonist vs. kin
For a young, uneducated, dilemma-stricken man who is trapped in a life governed by an abusive and intransigent patriarch--one who tyrannically espouses a view that blood ties (kinship) must supplant even truth and justice--the path to maturation and self-actualization may begin with his freeing himself from the chains of parental dictates in an effort to cease inimical behavior.
William Faulkner
1897-1962 Biography
Barn Burning
Although, most critics would admit, “Barn Burning” is primarily about the young Sarty Snopes and our progressive recognition of the intensity of his dichotomy, there are some who see Abner Snopes not as a demonic villain but as someone to be pitied because of his being chained to such extreme poverty; they see his indentured servitude as the force driving his justified rebellion against the Aristocracy, represented by the DeSpains.
Of what importance is the DeSpain house to Sarty? Is it tied to his dilemma in any way?
From what you remember of Faulkner’s style in “A Rose for Emily,” contrast that technique with his narrative structuring of “Barn Burning.” Does he differ in diction? arrangement of events? sentence structure?
Possible Theme for “A Clean, Well-lighted Place”
Wth a focus on the Life vs.. Nada conflict: old man vs.. impending nothingness and old waiter vs.. impending nothingness
Faulkner uses many very long sentences in his story, particularly in paragraphs 1, 15, 16, 27, 41, 42, 47, 82, 85, 91, 101, and 107 What effect did they have on you and your understanding of Sarty’s dilemma?
Hemingway’s style: laconic terse pithy concise monosyllabic
Faulkner’s tone: excited
fiery
fervid emotional spirited Faulkner’s style: voluble / lofty pleonastic verbose abstract polysyllabic
He could not hear either: the galloping mare was almost upon him before he heard her, and even then he held his course, as if the very urgency of his wild grief and need must in a moment more find him wings, waiting until the ultimate instant to hurl himself aside and into the weed-choked roadside ditch as the horse thundered past and on, for an instant in furious silhouette against the stars, the tranquil early summer night sky which, even before the shape of the horse and rider vanished, stained abruptly and violently upward: a long, swirling roar incredible and soundless, blotting the stars, and he springing up and into the road again, running again, knowing it was too late yet still running even after he heard the shot and, an instant later, two shots, pausing now without knowing he had ceased to run, crying "Pap! Pap!," running again before he knew he had begng over something and scrabbling up again without ceasing to run, looking backward over his shoulder at the glare as he got up, running on among the invisible trees, panting, sobbing, "Father! Father!” (from paragraph 107, about 215 words)