In the story “Popular Mechanics” the author, Raymond Carver, demonstrates how the feelings and actions of the characters set the plot and the conflict. The author shows how the feelings and actions led to the conflict and tragedy at the end by positioning words in a way to demonstrate the dark and eerie plot. The author manipulates words to exhibit the feelings of the mother and the father. Carver maneuvers how each of the character’s actions also contribute to the conflict at the end. The actions and feelings of each character play an important part of the plot. The author shows how the feelings of each character affects the story. The sentiment of the father throughout the story is his selfishness. He doesn’t care much about other people
He always wants to help someone else in need before himself, whereas the father is only concerned about their own personal wellbeings. He “is the one” who worries about their ethical choices and wants to help a stranger in any way he can (259). McCarthy proves the importance of the boy’s spirit of love for other people when his dad dies and he must take the leap of faith to continue along the road with a new family. Despite all the corrupted people they encountered beforehand, the boy meets someone who is “carrying the fire” (129). This mantra by the father and son, symbolizes hope and humanity. The qualities Steinbeck labels for a writer to create in his writings can be summed up in “carrying the fire” since the two never did give up. It is the greatness of the heart and spirit Steinbeck notes that is “inside [them]. [And] [i]t [is] always there” (279). It is noteworthy that even in the midst of death and ashes, the two are able to hold onto their relationship and sanity. The “good guys” can continue to carry meaning and structure in their lives, even in a time where society turned into a battle to survive on the remnants of
Often, when a story is told, it follows the events of the protagonist. It is told in a way that justifies the reasons and emotions behind the protagonist actions and reactions. While listening to the story being cited, one tends to forget about the other side of the story, about the antagonist motivations, about all the reasons that justify the antagonist actions.
Throughout quarter three, our class has read four short stories, each one portraying human behaviors. I am comparing and contrasting two characters from “Miss. Brill” by Katherine Mansfield and “The Destructors” by Graham Greene. Miss. Brill and Old Misery or Mr. Thomas have many similarities and differences including the internal forces that affect them and the external forces that make them who they are.
...his father had acted the way he did, which caused him to be committed. He was facing the same experiences and the same side-effects his father once felt. However, faced with this dilemma between acceptance and equal power, Baldwin looks to the only man he can trust to help him, his father. He trusts his father because he knows that his father went through the same dilemma he is going through, he has seen the same affects in his father’s rage and hate. However, his father already passed away, and what help that could have been gathered from his father is gone; Baldwin can only piece together his memories of his father’s character and life and compare it to his own to see how the two are really alike.
In turn, The Road generates many themes throughout the book, but the most prominent is the unbreakable bond between a father and ...
The author uses different points of view to create tension in the story. The mom acts in a way that neglects the daughters interests. This makes them both feel less connected and leaves the daughter feeling hopeless. In paragraph 9, “‘It’s strange actually. I wasn’t expecting it, but then at the last minute the funding came through.’ She folded her arms across her waist. ‘I’m going to Costa Rica to finish my research.” This made the narrator/daughter angry and flustered with her mom’s actions. She has trouble remaining connected with her parent because they both want different things which leaves on character feeling betrayed. “Opportunity? For me? Or for you?” (34). Both of their actions and responses create tension in this story. Their communication lacks and this results in pressure on both
This passage defines the character of the narrators’ father as an intelligent man who wants a better life for his children, as well as establishes the narrators’ mothers’ stubbornness and strong opposition to change as key elements of the plot.
Typically a story begins with an exposition, which introduces the characters, setting and plot. In the short story ?Popular Mechanics? by Raymond Carver, the exposition is excluded. The story begins with a short rise in action, moves quickly to the climax and totally omits the resolution. Carver uses third person objective narration to reveal the actions and the dialogue between a man and a woman. The narrator gives very little descriptive details, never revealing the characters? thoughts or their motivation. This allows the reader the freedom to interpret and develop their own opinions of the setting, plot, and characters of the story. This also stimulates the reader to be an active reader?to think about what is read, to ask questions, and to respond to the authors? style of writing.
He was very overwhelmed when he became a new father, but that soon change in his second marriage. He was more welcoming to parenthood than he was in his first marriage. His first marriage was becoming a burden to his life and his research. After the divorce, the isolation allowed him to reflect and process the things that were occurring in his life. It allows him to think about the importance of a mother and how it affects the needs of a child. His personality was affecting everyone, not just him. I concluded that maybe he didn’t have much affection or his needs as a child wasn’t fulfill, which made him unable to keep a healthy relationship nor was he able provide a healthy relationship with his children. I found the book more helpful to understand the effects of childhood experiences could impact
provides further proof of the father’s antipathy and impatience with his son which could have resulted
...the children live their lives the way that they should. He was punishing himself as well as his surroundings for something he could not have controlled. A main point that his wife made for him which he recalled was that everything happens for a reason. That is what triggers his change of attitude and communication skills.
Nonetheless, this really is a tale of compelling love between the boy and his father. The actions of the boy throughout the story indicate that he really does love his father and seems very torn between his mother expectations and his father’s light heartedness. Many adults and children know this family circumstance so well that one can easily see the characters’ identities without the author even giving the boy and his father a name. Even without other surrounding verification of their lives, the plot, characters, and narrative have meshed together quite well.
A short story is often made of 6 elements which are the point of view, character, setting, style, theme, and plot. In the short story “Popular Mechanics”, Raymond Carver mainly uses the plot to deliver his story. Although the story is told from a third-person point of view; the narrator is very objective and does reveal any thoughts or feelings of the characters. The story is told mainly through the dialogue of the two characters; Carver doesn’t fully describe the characters which keep them remain static and flat throughout the story. He also doesn’t give us many details of the setting either, but a house or an apartment somewhere. Although, Carver mainly uses plot in his story; he successfully deliver the story by fully using all the elements
“Why had he done it, he asked himself, but could get no answer from either his head or his heart” (Garner, 1). In “The Father” by Hugh Garner and “Saturday Climbing” by W.D Valgardson, the way the fathers treat their children are drastically different. The Father from in the short story “The Father” is incredibly distant and cold towards his young son, named Johnny. While on the other hand, Barry, the father from “Saturday Climbing” is too attached and controlling to his young daughter, named Moira.
The values and ethics in this novel are an importance to the family because it gives the children and adults a guideline and reminder on how to act and what they strive for. From an early childhood the children are taught to be well mannered and if you?re a female, you are taught to act like a lady. Papa also taught them about their religion from when the girls were babies .