Metaphors In Raymond Carver's Popular Mechanics

An Analysis of Metaphors in Raymond Carver’s “Popular Mechanics”

Metaphors are powerful stylistic tools that authors often use to give a story cohesion and intrigue. In the case of Raymond Carver’s flash fiction piece “Popular Mechanics,” two such metaphors are exhibited: the first is a flowerpot which is knocked over, and the second, a ceaseless progression of darkness. Both metaphors are used to symbolize what is happening between the couple at the time they are presented, and both, arguably, are necessary to create the plot of “Popular Mechanics.” One metaphor, however, is imperative to the story, while the other is less necessary. Whilst analyzing both metaphors for strength and importance, it is found that the progression of darkness is a stronger symbol of the family’s descension into chaos than the flowerpot, however potent it may be.

The meaning expressed through “Popular Mechanics” is fundamentally built upon the influence and ubiquity of the symbolism found in the progression of darkness.

Through its chronicling of the family’s story, the progression of darkness symbolizes their depraved descent into perdition. The metaphor is mentioned in the beginning of the story, “But it was getting dark on the inside too” (Carver), as well as at the end, “The kitchen window gave no light” (Carver), showing its importance through its prevalence. By creating a metaphor which extends throughout the piece, Carver is able to captivate the reader. The comprehensibility of the progression of darkness contrasts with the bizarreness of the family’s descension into immorality, which, without the help of the metaphor, may seem unfathomable to the reader. These aspects all combine to make the progression of darkness a defining and powerful metaphor in “Popular

Mechanics.”
Another powerful metaphor is expressed in the story when the flowerpot behind the stove is knocked over. The flowerpot is knocked over as the couple begins using physical force,“In the scuffle they knocked down a flowerpot that hung behind the stove” (Carver 2). The undeniable relevance of this metaphor may lead some to believe it to be stronger than that of the progression of darkness, however, it fails to define the couple’s descension into chaos, thus making it far weaker. By knocking over the flowerpot, an instantaneous moment of violence is symbolized, however, the progressive nearing of perdition is not, and cannot, be expressed through that spontaneous action. The flowerpot only represents the exact moment in which the family loses their humanity and turns to abuse. Therefore, the family’s descension into chaos is not addressed in its symbolism, and the metaphor of the flowerpot is found to be unconvincing and lacking strength. The progression of darkness, however, contains the necessary symbolism and magnitude to represent the family’s descent into chaos.
Though seemingly abstract, the situation which occurs in Carver’s “Popular Mechanics” represents a depravity which exists, to some degree, within all humans. By using a seemingly mundane metaphor, that of a progression into darkness, Carver is able to symbolize the ugliest face of humanity. The couple ends up falling into an abyss, an abyss of hell. The depth and meaning of their descension cannot be properly addressed through the symbolism of a mere flowerpot. Thus, Carver presents the reader with a progression of darkness, which is able to fully symbolize the meaning and impact composed in “Popular Mechanics.”