Popular Mechanics Raymond Carver Summary

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. The couple in the story seems to be experiencing a bout of disagreement as they are separating and the male character gathers his belongings in preparation to leave. Unfortunately, their child was placed in the midst of the split as it is with almost all divorces between couples who have children. Of course, both parents want custody of their child, but they do not desire shared custody. The mother had caught a glimpse of a photo of the child and hid it in hopes the father wouldn’t mention them, but it simply
resulted in a screaming match. The child became the center of an aggressive game of tug-of-war. Both parents reaching for limbs and hoping the child remained in their hold. As both parents slowly lost grip on the baby it becomes unclear whether he fell or the mother was able to hold on as the father let go.