Separation In Raymond Carver's A Serious Talk

“A Serious Talk” by Raymond Carver describes an unhealthy relationship between Burt and Vera, and, depending on whose perspective, their relationship after their separation. On one hand, Vera has moved on; she is in a relationship with another man, and even celebrates Christmas with his children. On the other hand, Burt still sees Vera as his wife. Overall, Carver illustrates differences in perspective and how they cause disputes.
To begin, in the second paragraph, Carver writes, “He’d [Burt] come on Christmas day to visit his wife and children… She [Vera] said he had to be out by six o’clock because her friend and his children were coming for dinner.” Clearly that is the first and most significant difference in perspective from which
Conversely, Vera believed he attempted arson, most likely as revenge on her and her new family. After that discussion, Burt asks about how Vera’s evening was after he left and the other man came; Vera replies, “If you’re going to start that, you can go right now,” showing how tensions have risen. Likewise, Vera’s phone rings while she is out of the room, so Burt answers it for her; to his dismay, the voice on the other line asks for “Charlie,” Vera’s new partner. After calling another time, Vera answers and leaves to another room. This finally breaks Burt, and he cuts the cord because he does not want to face the fact that Vera is no longer committed to him. Seeing the cord, Vera screams, “Out, out, out!... That’s it! I’m going to get a restraining order… I’m going next door to call the police if you don’t get out of here now!” demonstrating yet another conflict.
Ultimately, in “A Serious Talk” by Raymond Carver, the remaining portion of Vera and Burt’s relationship is arguments based on miscommunications. On one hand, Vera wants nothing to do with Burt, but on the other hand, Burt longs for his wife back. Perhaps their relationship, like most miscommunications, could be resolved with "A Serious