My Father's Life Raymond Carver

554 Words2 Pages

In the story, My Father’s Life, by Raymond Carver I learned Raymond shares many traits with his father. They are both alcoholics who can’t seem to settle anywhere they go. They even share the same name; Yet I don’t think Raymond likes it. Raymond had a pretty rocky relationship with his father. Raymond tried to make that connection with his father, but his father was to distracted by life struggles and alcohol to give him the same effort in return. Despite all that is against him I believe Raymond wanted to connect with his father anyway he could. I assumed Raymond did not like sharing his name with his father when he said “I hate the ‘junior’ part” (81). Raymond also preferred to be called by the name Frog, which was the name his father …show more content…

It was difficult for him as he was trying to raise his own family and earn a living. Raymond did eventually manage to tell his father he wanted to become a writer. Raymond said “The poem was a way of trying to connect up with him” (86). Even though it is a little too late he tried connecting with him. Even though that connection was never made he misses him a lot. As he said in his final paragraphs “I began to weep for the first time since receiving the news” (88). I understand where the author is coming from in this short story. I also have a father who is addicted to things I’d rather not mention. He is never around; and when he is there he only stays for about twenty minutes then he’s gone again. I don’t know who he really is. I have tried to connect with him many times, but that connection was never made. Now it’s too late as my father also passed away. All that lives on is memories. Overall we can all only do so much. We can put so much effort in to something but if we don’t get that same effort in return there’s nothing we can do. Raymond tried to make that connection with his father, but his father was to distracted by life struggles and alcohol to give him the same effort. We must all try to not let our struggles control our life and remember to make time for our loved

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