A Clean Well Lighted Place Response

4. How does Hemingway use light and dark as symbols? How do the shadows fit in?

He uses the symbols to set the tone of the story. Many times he will use dark symbols like "the tables were all empty except for where the old man sat in the shadow of the leaves," To me this creates a very dark and bad tone because it uses the word shadow which I think of darkness. Also he is alone so to me this means the man is alone in the darkness which doesn't sound happy at all. There is some light toned parts too. For example "With all those who do not want to go to bed.
 With all those who need a light for the night." The big word in this sentence is light. The way Hemingway uses the word it means like a retreat to me. To escape the dark energy around them that follows people. The light would ward off the darkness where people like the old man can finally rest and relax.