Reading journal - Essay Example

Supervisor’s 15 April Reading journal The literature, ‘a well-lighted place’ is a play that centers on three main players and identifies differences in perception to life across the characters that also represent different age group. One of the characters, The Old Man, is in a café and The Young Waiter seems to dislike him and his state of life. Another waiter, The Old Waiter, who is also older than The Young Waiter, however understand the old man’s conditions, defends the old man from the young man’s criticisms, and even associated with the old man’s condition.

The three characters represent age groups with conflicting needs and the following question arises from the story. Is the attitude of The Young Waiter towards The Old Man moral?Two factors from the text contribute to the question. While no relationship is defined between the three characters, and conversations between the waiters indicate lack of close associations between The Young Waiter and both The Old Waiter and The Old Man, the two characters seem to be tolerant to The Young Waiter as though his position is justified.

The Young Waiter seems to hold many different perspectives from The Old Waiter but The Old Waiter remains accommodative. ResponseThe Young Waiter appears rude to The Old Man, especially when he tells the old man that “you should have killed yourself last week” (n.p.). even though the author notes that the old man is deaf and this could imply that he did not hear the rude remark, The Old Man’s behavior suggest that he hears, even if partially, and he just chose to ignore the remark. He for example prefers to stay late at night because the time is more quiet and he can tell the difference.

When The Young Waiter asked him what he wanted, orally, The Old Man was able to comprehend and replied that he wanted another brandy. In addition, even if he was very blind, he could have read expression on The Young Waiter’s face when the waiter made the harsh comment. The old man however remained calm. The Young Waiter is also insensitive to other people’s needs. When told that The Old Man tried to commit suicide and that someone rescued him, he asks why he was rescued. This indicates that he did not value the old man’s life and could possibly watch the old man die.

The Young Waiter’s argument that the old man should have died is also based on his desire to be sleeping at the time and means that he values his sleep that another person’s life. This is particularly controversial because the old man has not intruded the waiter’s privacy. The waiter chose to work at the café and he is paid to serve such people. Despite the identified weakness of The Young Waiter, The Old Waiter is more understanding of the Old Man’s condition and suggests that as a person grows from youth into middle age, he begins to understand challenges in life and to appreciate what other people experience.

The Old Waiter demonstrates this by defending the old man and associating with the old man’s condition. The Young Waiter also recognizes the association when he tells The Old Waiter that that he, The Old Waiter, talks like an old man. Even though the social context seems to be tolerant to the position of The Young Waiter that is rude, intolerant, and insensitive to the old man, the young man does not value age, does not care about possible effects of his actions, and associated effects could hurt other parties.

His position is therefore immorally unjustified. Works citedHemingway, Ernest. “A clean, well-lighted place.” Houston Community College. N.d. Web. April 15, 2015. .