Art, meet Rhetoric.

The first piece, Morning Sun, displays a lonely feeling in the character. She is in a half fetal position, a position one uses in times of loneliness, despair, hoplessness. She's holding onto her knees as if apathetic about everything in life. The expression on her face is emotionless yet full of tension; she just sits there looking out, but her lips look as if it's in a tight line. She looks out of the window and into a lighter, brighter atmosphere. Her side of the picture (inside the building) is darker, whereas past the window, viewers can imagine there being a full sun if only the picture hadn't been cut. Also, not only is she sitting in a shdow, she is casting one. This can be seen as a portrayal that her "nothingness" is a shadow to herself, covering up the peace she could be having. Hopper shows the character's "nothingness" by creating a very simple art piece. There are no major details or flowery images. There is nothing on the bed, the wall, her clothes, the sky, or even the building just outside the window. She has this sense of not wanting to do anything, and this is exactly what Krebs felt. Hemingway writes, "[Krebs] would have liked to have a girl but he did not wan to have to spend a long time getting her. He did not want to get into the intrigue and the politics" (Soldiers Home - Hemingway 2). Krebs doesn't want anything; he is apathetic towards everything. He would have wanted a girlfriend, but he didn't want to spend his time to win her heart. Whatever he does want, his parents are against it. Thus, this creates a sense of "nothingness" throughout his life. This "nothingness" also transfers to "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place." In this story, the old man drinks his brandy just like the girl in the painting stares out into the window. He always stays in the shadow and although he has "plenty of money" (A Clean, Well-Lighted Place - Hemingway 2), he is still in despair over nothing in particular. His "nothingness" also overshadows his peace. Perhaps this is why he likes to stay late in the cafe - he can find serenity, quietness, and peace. In Morning Sun, the girl can also find peace in a clean, well-lighted place.

The second piece, Sunday, looks as if it takes place in the afternoon. The sun is casting a shadow and is not as bright as a rising sun. The building behind the old man is darker in comparison to the building on the right. This can be significant in that the old man is also casting a shadow on everything behind him. He sits on the edge of the curb with his arms crossed. Usually, crossed arms means as if one is hiding something, not trying to show emotion, or feels an emptiness. He is looking downwards and his back is slumped forward. He dresses wealthy but he looks unhappy. This explains that even though one may be extremely wealthy, like the old man in "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place," he or she may not be content with it. Likewise, there is an empty aura around the man in the picture. In "Soldier's Home," Harold also gives off an empty aura. He is present but his presence is unseen.