Popular Mechanics

[Kaden]

This is a story by Raymond Carver that I recently read for an english class. This is in no way my own work, nor am I taking any credit for it. I thought it was a pretty interesting read and that some of the other people here might enjoy it as well. I am copying it exactly as it appears in the book What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

Originally written by Raymond Carver
Early that day the weather turned and the snow was melting into dirty water. Streaks of it ran down from the little shoulder-high window that faced the backyard. Cars slushed by on the street outside, where it was getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too.

He was in the bedroom pushing clothes into a suitcase when she came to the door

I'm glad you're leaving! I'm glad you're leaving! she said. Do you hear?

He kept putting his things into his suitcase.

Son of a bitch! I'm so glad you're leaving! She began to cry. You can't even look me in the face, can you?

Then she noticed the baby's picture on the bed and picked it up

He looked at her and she wiped her eyes and stared at him before turning and going back to the living room

Bring that back, he said.

Just get your things and get out, she said.

He did not answer. He fastened the suitcase, put on his coat, looked around the bedrom before turning off the light. Then he went out to the living room

She stood in the doorway of the little kitchen, holding the baby.

I want the baby, he said.

Are you crazy?

No, but I want the baby. I'll get someone to come by for his things.

You're not touching this baby, she said.

The baby had begun to cry and she uncovered the blanket from around his head.

Oh, oh, she said, looking at the baby.

He moved toward her.

For God's sake! she said. She took a step back into the kitchen.

I want the baby.

Get out of here!

She turned and tried to hold the baby over in a corner behind the stove

But he came up. He reached across the stove and tightened his hands on the baby.

Let go of him, he said.

Get away, get away! she cried.

The baby was red-faced and screaming. In the scuffle they knocked down a flowerpot that hung behind the stove.

He crowded her into the wall then, trying to break her grip. He held on to the baby with all his weight.

Let go of him, he said.

Don't, she said. You're hurting the baby, she said.

I'm not hurting the baby, he said.

The kitchen window gave no light. In the near-dark he worked on her fisted fingers with one hand and with the other hand he gripped the screaming baby up under an arm near the shoulder.

She felt her fingers being forced ope. She felt the baby going from her.

No! she screamed jsut as her hands came loose.

She would have it, this baby. She grabbed for the baby's other arm. She caught the baby around the wrist and leaned back.

But he would not let go. He felt the slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard.

In this manner, the issue was decided.

A short, but very interesting read.

A quick note, there are not quotation marks in this short story. Just imagine where you would put them if you were editting this and it reads just fine.

[Tamsin]

Interesting read. It isn`t anything especially impressive, but it`s interesting. It kind of reminds me of one of the storys about King Solomon where two women claim that they are the mothers of a baby. So they take the issue to the king who proclaims he will cut the child in half so both mothers get their half. While one of the women agrees, the other pulls from her claim, saying she would rather see the baby live. Naturally, this reached king Solomons pourpose and revealed the true mother to him. So he gave the baby to her.

[Kaden]

While I can understand how it would literally remind you of that Solomon story, they're very very different.

Popular Mechanics has nothing to do with love for a child.

[Hellfighter 17]

It reminds of King Solomon (not that I have read the Bible, but who hasn't heard half of the stories, and Jackie justgave a synopsis of what I am referring to) in the fact that the author hints that the baby was pulled in half, or at least hurt by the pulling on both sides.

I agree with Rad, though, that it is not about love for the baby. I didn't really find it moving. I like stories with negative endings, and I should as a Canadian writer, or so my English teacher tells me, but that's left too open to be purely negative, although I do like its openness there.

[Tamsin]

Originally posted by Raditzu
While I can understand how it would literally remind you of that Solomon story, they're very very different.

Popular Mechanics has nothing to do with love for a child.

I know. That is why I said it kind off reminds me of it.

[Kaden]

The author ends all his stories in that manner. Some people were complaining a lot about that in class. I think its kind of fun.

Personally, I don't think any babies actually exist in that story.

[Hellfighter 17]

Well, I think there is (how can you not unless it is magic realism?), but the baby isn't the true purpose of the story, you need to "scratch beneath the surface." The baby was a wonderful use, though.

[Ruhiel]

Is that the entire article? Or did the author go on to explain his point? Or is this one of those "you figure it out" things? Out of context, it's hard for me to figure out what connections to draw.

Wait, is this not from the magazine "Popular Mechanics"? I think I may have taken this out of context. >.<

[Kaden]

Its a short story by Raymond Carver. Its not from a magazine or anything. What I quoted was the story in its entirty.

He did not answer. He fastened the suitcase, put on his coat, looked around the bedrom before turning off the light. Then he went out to the living room

That's where I think the literal story ends.

[Hellfighter 17]

So do you think it's a mental struggle or thought of processes that went on in his head?

[Kaden]

I think its a reflection of how their relationship went wrong. Moreover, I think it sums up a good deal of relationships.

"Flashback" is the closest term I can think of.

[Tamsin]

Originally posted by Hell Fighter 17
Well, I think there is (how can you not unless it is magic realism?), but the baby isn't the true purpose of the story, you need to "scratch beneath the surface." The baby was a wonderful use, though.

Agreed.