Popular Mechanics: Raymond Carver

 

Story: Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver

About the Story Writer

Raymond Carver (1938-1988) was an influential American short story writer and poet. He is often credited with revitalizing the short story genre in the late 20th century, known for his minimalist style and focus on the lives of ordinary people. Carver's work often explores themes of human relationships, communication, and the struggle for connection and meaning in everyday life. Some of his most famous works include the short story collections "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" and "Cathedral," as well as the poetry collection "A New Path to the Waterfall."

Theme and Writing Style of Story

The theme in “Popular Mechanics” reveals to readers how a couple will try to keep what they want in a relationship, and it can lead to an unfavorable result. Symbolism is used to exhibit how the couple is corrupted and fading away. The writing style used in the short story “Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver is minimalist, with very few words or details. The sentences are short and simple, with conversations flowing without quotations, which makes it easy for all to read.

Setting and Conflict of Story

Raymond Carver's very short story, “Popular Mechanics,” is seemingly set on the East Coast or somewhere that experiences cold, wintery weather. Early on, it foreshadows the potential of something bad or sad happening as it is dark inside. Raymond Carver's short story is very brief, structured around a conflict between a couple who are separating and who end up fighting over their infant child.

The Central Idea of the Story

The central idea of Raymond Carver's short story "Popular Mechanics" revolves around the breakdown of a relationship, possibly a marriage, and the destructive nature of human emotions, particularly when fueled by anger and a lack of communication. The story portrays a couple in a heated argument, which escalates to the point where they are physically fighting over their baby. The narrative is stark and minimalist, highlighting the raw emotions and the destructive consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the story suggests that unresolved conflicts and a failure to communicate can lead to tragic outcomes.

Summary of the Story

Popular Mechanics is a story through which the writer Raymond Carver wants to give a message to the readers that using unnecessary force in the wrong place never benefits anybody.  Mechanics is a branch of physical science that deals with energy and forces and their effect on bodies. 

Later, it appeared under the title "Little Things." The story describes an argument between a man and a woman that escalates into a physical struggle over their baby. The writer, through this story, shows the bitter reality of a modern society where, instead of solving issues through good communication, couples directly think of divorce. Lack of communication and inability to make the right decisions cause them to break their relationship and destroy their children's future. It was getting dark weather was not good since morning. The husband was packing clothes. His wife came in; she was happy that he was leaving. She picked up the baby's photo from the bed.  The man asked to return the photo, but she refused and went out to the living room.

He came out to the living room his wife was standing in the doorway of the little kitchen holding the baby. He asked for the baby. When she refused, he tried to snatch the baby. The baby was red-faced and screaming. In the scuffle (fight), they knocked down a flowerpot that hung behind the stove. He tried to break her grip on the baby. The Kitchen window gave no light. He gripped (held - the second form of the verb hold) the screaming baby's arm. As she felt the baby going from her hand, she grabbed for the baby's other arm. When he felt the baby slipping out of his hands, he pulled back the baby's arm very hard.

The writer ended the story with the line " In this manner, the issue was decided."  It suggests that the struggle is over. Either the baby was killed or his hand was broken.  Lost in their arrogance, they use the baby as a string and pull him back and forth, which intensely hurts the baby.

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