An Analysis Of Popular Mechanics By Raymond Carver

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The title of the short story I’m reviewing is “Popular Mechanics,” by Raymond Carver. Carver selects wording that is interestingly symbolic to the dark foreshadowing he uses to suck us into a dark world of shattered dreams. He opens the narrative with descriptive words such as “dark,” and “dirty.” This is in fact a story that is devoid of light if in fact that absence signifies a maleficence of state. Sadly it is a familiar story about a young couple that has decided to part ways, but not before bringing a child into the world. Carver’s story begins at the point where the man of the family is packing to leave. During the time when he is packing his suite case a picture of his infant son is lying on the bed. The emergence of the photo …show more content…

What is the author’s view? How do I know? Carver’s view in this story is one of hopeless danger. It is a portrait of the common tragedies that plague humanity and the relationships that perpetuate our species. While the big picture is the crash of the relationship, the story hones in on the mechanics of the fight. Leverage from both sides is applied to the child, which gives the title, “Popular Mechanics” a horrifying new meaning. Popular, because the situation is not uncommon and mechanics in the weight and force applied to the …show more content…

Solid evidence exists that this is a couple that had a child together, but there is no evidence that they are actually married. There is a fight, and the child becomes the center of the fight. Vague is the exact outcome or fate of the child. The fight culminated with both parties pulling on the child with all of there might. It can be assumed that the baby was injured or worse. 5. Is the evidence relevant? How do I know? Everything in this story seems to be relevant to the central plot of the story, which is a broken family. The cold-dark weather; the dirty-melting snow; and the lack of light in the home are the elements that set the tone here. The man is packing and then fighting over the child in a reckless fit of anger. The woman is also fighting and hurting the child. A flower pot falls and in the end we can assume the same or worse for the child. 6. Have I heard/read anything similar or dissimilar? What was

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