In Careful by Raymond Carver we have the theme of change, dependency, alcoholism, moving on, disaffection, communication and paralysis. Taken from his Cathedral collection, the story tells of a man called Lloyd who has recently separated from his wife Inez. Lloyd is now living in the attic room of Mrs Matthews’ house and very early […]

In Where I’m Calling From by Raymond Carver we have the theme of identity, control, disaffection, denial, escape, paralysis and alcoholism. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed man who is a resident in Frank Martin’s drying out facility. There are several story’s being told within […]

In Cathedral by Raymond Carver we have the theme of jealousy, insecurity, isolation, detachment and connection. Taken from his collection of the same name the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed man and from the beginning of the story the reader realises how detached the narrator is. Not only is he […]

In The Bridle by Raymond Carver we have the theme of paralysis, escape, control and isolation. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the first person by a middle aged woman called Marge and it is interesting that though the reader learns a lot about the other characters in the story, through […]

In Fever by Raymond Carver we have the theme of trust, helplessness, letting go and acceptance. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and very early in the story the reader realises that Carver is exploring one of the main themes of the story, the […]

In The Train by Raymond Carver we have the theme of connection, desperation and acceptance. Taken from his Cathedral collection, the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and is a follow up of a John Cheever short story called ‘The Five-Forty-Eight.’ What is interesting about the story it that there […]

In the short story Vitamins by Raymond Carver we have the theme of discontent, infidelity, escape, paralysis and disaffection. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the first person and begins with the narrator (unnamed) telling the reader first about his ‘nothing job’ at the hospital and then about his wife Patti’s […]

In A Small, Good Thing by Raymond Carver we have the theme of connection, helplessness, loss, conflict, communication, isolation and loneliness. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and in the opening passages of the story the reader realises that Carver is delving into the […]

In The Compartment by Raymond Carver we have the theme of regret, isolation, detachment and letting go or rather the inability to let go. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and is set on a train travelling from Milan to Strasbourg. Something that is […]

In Preservation by Raymond Carver we have the theme of change, fear, helplessness and paralysis. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after first reading the story the reader realises that Carver is using a lot of symbolism. The book that Sandy is reading […]

In Chef’s House by Raymond Carver we have the theme of isolation, connection, separation, hope, recovery, identity and memories. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the first person by a middle aged woman called Edna and very early on the reader realises that Carver is delving into the theme of separation. […]

In Feathers by Raymond Carver we have the theme of connection, desire, silence, communication, isolation, gratitude and change. Taken from his Cathedral collection the story is narrated in the first person by a man called Jack and after first reading the story the reader becomes aware of the differences between Olla and Fran, even though […]