a small good thing
Samuel Adebayo
Professor Jennifer M Jakob
Literature 110
December 3, 2013
Response to (A Small Good Thing by Raymond Carver) Having read Diana’s take on this story, I totally agree with the fact that the story is that of isolation, loneliness, and connectedness. Raymond Carver uses this story to depict a classic example of how disjointed and lonely people could be. Many people have allowed themselves to be consumed by life’s circumstances, career, and education. Consequently, they are far removed from friends, families, and the society. Ann, Howard, and Scotty who are the main character in this story, seem to have a perfect family at the beginning of the story. Howard’s thought when driving home was never to encounter those destructive “forces” that could cause the downfall of a man. He never realizes the need for any other connection than the one he had with his son and wife. He believed that the comfort of his family is sufficient, and by so doing was isolated from the rest of society. Another instance of isolation in the story is the life of the baker in the opening scene. He was very taciturn, did not want to hold conversations with Ann, and did not try to treat Scotty’s birthday as special. This quote by Raymond Carver “He made her feel uncomfortable, and she didn’t like that (2140)” depicts how distant and aloof the baker was from Ann; which makes her feel uncomfortable. These clues of how isolated all humans are from one another continues. Perhaps the ugliest is the driver of the hit-and-run, who leaves the scene of the accident. He left the scene without checking on Scotty’s conditions. Everyone in the story just think they are self-sufficient. Consider Dr. Francis, who is obviously committed to Scotty's recovery but nevertheless maintains a distance from the couple. If isolation is left unattended, it leads to loneliness, and probably depression. Ann and Howard did not know how it feels to be lonely, until
Professor Jennifer M Jakob
Literature 110
December 3, 2013
Response to (A Small Good Thing by Raymond Carver) Having read Diana’s take on this story, I totally agree with the fact that the story is that of isolation, loneliness, and connectedness. Raymond Carver uses this story to depict a classic example of how disjointed and lonely people could be. Many people have allowed themselves to be consumed by life’s circumstances, career, and education. Consequently, they are far removed from friends, families, and the society. Ann, Howard, and Scotty who are the main character in this story, seem to have a perfect family at the beginning of the story. Howard’s thought when driving home was never to encounter those destructive “forces” that could cause the downfall of a man. He never realizes the need for any other connection than the one he had with his son and wife. He believed that the comfort of his family is sufficient, and by so doing was isolated from the rest of society. Another instance of isolation in the story is the life of the baker in the opening scene. He was very taciturn, did not want to hold conversations with Ann, and did not try to treat Scotty’s birthday as special. This quote by Raymond Carver “He made her feel uncomfortable, and she didn’t like that (2140)” depicts how distant and aloof the baker was from Ann; which makes her feel uncomfortable. These clues of how isolated all humans are from one another continues. Perhaps the ugliest is the driver of the hit-and-run, who leaves the scene of the accident. He left the scene without checking on Scotty’s conditions. Everyone in the story just think they are self-sufficient. Consider Dr. Francis, who is obviously committed to Scotty's recovery but nevertheless maintains a distance from the couple. If isolation is left unattended, it leads to loneliness, and probably depression. Ann and Howard did not know how it feels to be lonely, until