冰山原则在 一个干净明亮的地方 中的分析

Iceberg Theory Functions in A Clean Well-lighted Place Hemingway always tried to write on the principle of iceberg theory. Iceberg has only one eighth of it being above water. So I try to analyze Hemingway’s short story- A Clean Well-lighted Place to figure out that how this theory functions in his writing .This essay focuses on analyzing the using of symbols, language style,using of repetition in this short story to illustrate this topic. 1. Using of symbols Hemingway uses symbols to help the reader gain a better perspective of how the protagonist feels in this story. There are two types of symbols in this story. One is conventional which is common to the area where the story takes place. While the other is personal, which is closely tied to the individual. 1.1. Conventional symbols A Clean Well-lighted Place which is the title of this story is a symbol. The clean, well-lighted café represents light, order and pleasantness. For the old man it is a refuge from the darkness of the night outside. Darkness is a symbol of fear and loneliness. The light symbols comfort and company of others. There is a hopeless in the dark, while the light calms the nerves. 1.2. Individual symbols There is the other type of symbols. The three persons are three symbols to represent people in three different stages in modern society. The young waiter; the old waiter and the old man are all nameless. The author intends to let the three people to be everyone in society. In this story the old man represents the old people in society. He has no ability to conquer nothingness. He takes the passive attitude toward life. And in order to escape the nothingness of life, he chooses death. He is sad because he could not feel the value of his life. The young waiter doesn’t understand the suicidal attempt of the old man because he thought that a wealthy man had no reason to commit suicide. He is pursuing material life He represents young people in modern society. The old waiter’s attitude toward life is different from the young waiter. He recognizes the nothingness of his life. He has the same attitude as the old man. Later he expresses solidarity with the old man. He understands and defends him. He prefers a clean well-lighted café to a bar or bodega; He seeks out such a place to forestall his own despair that night. He represents the middle-aged people in modern society. At the end of this story, the author intends to reflect part of the society. This is symbolism. It reinforces the expression of the theme. That is part of the iceberg theory. 2. Language style Hemingway’ style is characterized by minimalism. He uses simple diction, usually monosyllabic word. This kind of briefness and simplicity sounds forceful, persuading. It creates kind of trueness, which is well matched with Hemingway’s common theme—nothingness of life and people’ s doubting about their existence. He always manages to choose words, which are concrete, specific, more commonly found, casual and conversational. And he uses them often in syntax of short, simple sentences. Not a single word is wasted in his story. This superficial simplicity is a symbolic meaning. Hemingway’s strength lies in his short sentences and very specific details. This is part of the iceberg theory. 3. Using of repetitions Contrasted with his minimalism, Hemingway uses repetitions in this story. 3.1. Repetitions of images For example: “It was late and everyone had left the café except the old man who sat in the shadow, the leaves of the tree made against the electric light.”“…the tables were empty except where the old man sat in the shadow of the leaves of the trees that moved slightly in the wind." These lines appear several times in this story. These images well show the old man’ loneliness and emptiness. “This is a clean and pleasant café. It is well lighted. The light is very good and also, there are shadows of the leaves.” “A clean, well-lighted café is a very different thing.” These lines said by the old waiter for two times show his solidarity with the old man. It also reflects the old waiter’s recognition of nothingness in life. This well uses the features of iceberg theory to express what the writer wants to say. 3.2. Repetition of a word “nada” “Nada” is the Spanish word for “nothing”. “Nada y pues nada y pues nada.” means “nothing and then nothing ands then nothing.” in English .There are over twenty “nada”s in this paragraph. This way of expressing has two effects. First it is the inner monologue of the old waiter. It is said instinctively, which creates a real feeling. Second with so many “nada”s, this paragraph gives us strong visual feelings to our eyes. We can feel the depressing, boring feeling felt by the old waiter. One feature of the iceberg theory is transmitting the most meaning with the least words. So this demands the simplicity of its language style. When the whole language style is simplicity, using repetition can easily catch the readers’ attention. So the effect of the repetition is reinforced. This is part of the iceberg theory. Iceberg theory make contribution to the success of this short story.