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Post by shelbygraham on Jun 3, 2024 20:12:33 GMT
At the closing of the story the older waiter says to himself, "It's probably only insomnia. Many must have it." He also, earlier in the story, assumes he is not the only person who prefers a clean, well-lighted place over an unclean bodega with music. While many people do have insomnia, is it possible they have insomnia for varying reasons or different causes? The older waiter waits until daylight to fall asleep and there are obvious differences between day light and light at night (one is from the sun and the other is not) but what is the difference for the older waiter? Or is there even a difference? Why does he seem to prefer one over the other? Am I reading too much into this detail?
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Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jun 3, 2024 22:44:04 GMT
Definitely not reading too much into it, Shelby-- -I think that word insomnia is key! The relevant passage:
He would lie in the bed and finally, with daylight, he would go to sleep. After all, he said to himself, it's probably only insomnia. Many must have it.
What I'm seeing here is that his not-sleeping seems to be a common thing, since he can already project forward and know that he won't sleep. I wonder to what extent he's afraid to fall asleep at night, and to what extent he's unable? Is this a fear of death, or does he have something hanging over his head that is keeping him awake?
To me, there's something deeper going on than insomnia, and it's something that the older waiter and the old man share. Agree with you, Shelby, that they want to be in the light as long and as much as possible-- perhaps that's why they both want to remain at the cafe as long as possible?
I'm seeing a link between death and darkness here...
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Post by dcomeaux on Jun 5, 2024 1:10:01 GMT
I did not even notice this detail when I read this story. This is such an interesting detail. So what you both are pointing out is that as long as they are at the cafe and in the light, they are avoiding the darkness and death. That makes so much sense when it is pointed out. I am not sure I would have made that correlation on my own but again, that makes so much sense! While I was reading, I was just taking it at face value, as insomnia. I am going to enjoy reading the discussions and seeing the different perspectives and details that I fail to see!
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