* Conciseness and simplicity: "It was late and every one had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light." These sentences are short and direct, focusing on the bare essentials of the setting and the lone figure.
* Focus on atmosphere and mood: The emphasis on "late," "shadow," and "electric light" creates a somber and lonely atmosphere. The reader is immediately immersed in the quiet, almost melancholic tone of the story.
* Introduction of a central theme: The presence of the "old man" and the empty cafe hints at themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for meaning in the face of existential despair.
These elements contribute to the story's minimalist and evocative style. Hemingway's writing is known for its sparse language, vivid imagery, and focus on the unspoken, and these qualities are apparent from the very first sentences.