"A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" is a short story by Ernest Hemingway that explores themes of loneliness and the search for meaning. The narrative centers around two waiters in a café who discuss a deaf old man who frequents the establishment. The younger waiter is impatient and dismissive of the old man's need for a peaceful place, while the older waiter empathizes with him. The story contrasts the perspectives of the two waiters, highlighting the importance of a clean, well-lit space as a refuge from the darkness of life. The older waiter's understanding of solitude reflects a deeper awareness of human existence and the comfort found in simple, well-lit places.