The Day He Told Me Analysis

Ann Weiss, a mother and wife is buying a cake for her seven year old son’s eighth birthday. The day of Scotty’s birthday, he is walking home while suddenly a car hits him. His friend starts crying while Scotty spazzes. The driver of the car stops, looks back, and drives on. Scotty walks home and sits on the couch and goes unconscious. Ann calls the ambulance and the husband, Howard. At the hospital, the doctor defies the fact that this is a serious matter as he insists that his condition is not a coma. Raymond Carver is pointing out that you should never take life for granted as anything can happen at any given moment. The doctor at the hospital is being defiant by not telling Howard and Weiss the real truth, the truth that hurts by progressively saying, “He’s not in a coma, he should be awake very soon.” Time goes on and Scotty is still not awake, and Howard and Ann are worrying even more.
Howard has never been through this much stress so he doesn't know how to handle it. Howard arrives back at the hospital to see Scotty in the same condition. Against all odds, Scotty wakes up for seconds, takes his last breath, and fades away. Ann and Howard are devastated and the only person who could make things worsens the baker who keeps calling. Carver points out the importance of communication by having Anne and Howard take it the wrong