ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1
·What besides the insomnia makes the old waiter reluctant to go to bed?
If we just from the surface to answer this question, we can pick up some opinion from the story:
e.g. “I am those who like to stay late at the café,” the
older waiter said. “With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night.” [ page 158 Para.14]
“… Each night I am reluctant to close up because there may be someone who needs the café.” [page 158] However, if we analyses deeply, we will realize that insomnia is just a symbolism of the story. When you are sleepless in the night, you will keep awake through the hour of darkness, and this will make you feel lonely and even worse, the despair. There is not only about insomnia but about loneliness, the darkness of life, the segregation from the world, and the nothingness. And those desperate feelings are the most important thing to make the old waiter and the old man refuse to go to bed
·comment on the older waiter’s meditation with the nada refrain.
Nada means nothing. It is a Spanish word. And from this refrain, we can know that nothing cannot be deal with by man or god. It is the senselessness of each heart. There is no meaning in life. Nothing is the experience of one?s own existence, and the thorough understanding of life.
·Why does the old waiter so well understand the old man’s need for a café ?
The old waiter is a middle-age man. Though he isn?t as old as the old man, he suffers the war and life, and he also has the insomnia like many other men (perhaps including the old man). He also feels the loneliness and nothingness in his life. So he can understand the old man?s feeling about the life, and he can even relate and see his future in the old man. This is why the old waiter so well understands the old man?s need for a café. The café is a peaceful place where the old man can escape from the loneliness and nothingness and desperation in the life.
·What does the café represent for the old man and the old waiter? The café is a clean and well-lighted place in the story. It is an idealized space. Sitting in the café, they will feel peaceful and comfortable. The café is a place where the old man and the old waiter can
escape from loneliness. The café is lighted, because light can chases away the dark. The café is clean, which makes them feel comfortable and peaceful. 2
·Different attitudes towards the old man The young waiter: The young waiter is selfish and impatient. He looks down upon the old man. He thinks the old man is nasty. He is easily angry and impolite to the old man because he wants to go back home and sleeps early. He doesn?t understand the old man. He even wants the old man to suicide.
e.g. “I?m sleepy now, I never get into bed before three o?clock. He should have killed himself last week.” [page 155]
“I wouldn?t want to be that old. An old man is a nasty thing.”[page 157 para. 6] The old waiter: The old waiter shows his sympathy for the old man, which is totally different with the younger waiter. He knows the importance of a clean and well-lighted place for those who need a place to escape from loneliness and nothingness. He knows the old man?s sufferings and was sympathized with him. He doesn?t think it is bad that the old man stays in