Free Essays on Popular Mechanics

Commentary on Popular Mechanics In Raymond Carver’s short story Popular Mechanics, the meticulous focus on details is immediately obvious to the reader, whether it be the integrated symbols, the characterization, or even the title. Raymond Carver’s short story comes together to leave its readers stunned, and left to make their own conclusions at the end. By focusing on Carver’s literary techniques, one will be able to see the depth of this short story. From the first short paragraph of Raymond Carver’s Popular Mechanics, the reader is left in suspense. Carver sets the mood of the story with the first sentence. The author states that the â€Å"snow was melting into dirty water†. Immediately the reader anticipates something bad is going to happen, or has already. A bleak atmosphere is created by snow, normally white and pure, melting away into dirtiness. The setting is dark. This allows the reader to anticipate that evil will come. Carver states that outside it was â€Å"getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too.† Once again the setting gives the reader a bleak feeling. When it is dark outside, humans go inside to avoid it. However, with the darkness engulfing the safety of the house as well, one must know that trouble is ahead. The narration of the story has much to do with the effect upon the readers. Carver is an objective narrator. Throughout the argument between the mother and father, the narrator does not take sides and does not state his own opinion. The neutrality of the narrator allows the readers to make their own judgment. This brings the reader into the story by allowing them to judge the parents and draw up their own verdict. Carver does not describe the characters, but allows the readers to gain knowledge of them by their actions. This type of characterization allows the reader to develop his or her own opinion on who the character really is. One can tell that the woman i... Free Essays on Popular Mechanics Free Essays on Popular Mechanics The adage goes â€Å"Say what you mean and mean what you say,† however, symbolism plays an important role in literature. In Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Popular Mechanics† details are used to symbolize the lives of the characters and the changes in their lives during and after the break up between the man and woman. Carver uses four details as symbols in the story: the dark and dreary details of the weather, the woman’s picking up the picture, the knocking down of the flower pot, and the pulling on the baby. The dark and dreary details of the weather both inside and out: â€Å"Early that day the weather turned† and â€Å"Cars slushed by on the street outside, where it was getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside, too† (238), represent the relationship between the man and the woman. The weather turning is symbolic of the change in their relationship from good to bad. The statement, â€Å"it was getting dark on the inside, too† (238 ), is representative of the feelings of the couple, which are changing from those of happiness and enjoyment to those of hatred and anger. While the weather symbolizes the relationship between the man and the woman, the woman’s picking up the picture of the baby is also very symbolic. In the story, the picture was on the bed, put there by the man. When the woman entered the bedroom, â€Å"She noticed the baby’s picture on the bed and picked it up,† then â€Å"stared at him (the man) before turning and going back to the living room† (239). He responds, â€Å"Bring that back,† but she said, â€Å"Just get your things and get out† (239). Her actions represent her strong desire to keep the baby. Her unwillingness to give the man the picture of the baby shows that she doesn’t want him to have custody of the baby as well as any contact with the baby. While the couple were fighting, â€Å"they knocked down a flowerpot† (239). This bre aking of the flower pot is very symbolic. The most obvious symbolism is the brea... Free Essays on Popular Mechanics Commentary on Popular Mechanics In Raymond Carver’s short story Popular Mechanics, the meticulous focus on details is immediately obvious to the reader, whether it be the integrated symbols, the characterization, or even the title. Raymond Carver’s short story comes together to leave its readers stunned, and left to make their own conclusions at the end. By focusing on Carver’s literary techniques, one will be able to see the depth of this short story. From the first short paragraph of Raymond Carver’s Popular Mechanics, the reader is left in suspense. Carver sets the mood of the story with the first sentence. The author states that the â€Å"snow was melting into dirty water†. Immediately the reader anticipates something bad is going to happen, or has already. A bleak atmosphere is created by snow, normally white and pure, melting away into dirtiness. The setting is dark. This allows the reader to anticipate that evil will come. Carver states that outside it was â€Å"getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too.† Once again the setting gives the reader a bleak feeling. When it is dark outside, humans go inside to avoid it. However, with the darkness engulfing the safety of the house as well, one must know that trouble is ahead. The narration of the story has much to do with the effect upon the readers. Carver is an objective narrator. Throughout the argument between the mother and father, the narrator does not take sides and does not state his own opinion. The neutrality of the narrator allows the readers to make their own judgment. This brings the reader into the story by allowing them to judge the parents and draw up their own verdict. Carver does not describe the characters, but allows the readers to gain knowledge of them by their actions. This type of characterization allows the reader to develop his or her own opinion on who the character really is. One can tell that the woman i...