Writing Style

Zoe Rubens

AP English

Writing Style

Less is More

Raymond Carver uses a writing style that enhances the themes he writes about.  Carver often takes the time to write to a greater audience.  Through the use of minimalistic writing style Carver is able to create stories unique in tone and unique in their ability to relate and reflect.

             Carver’s use of minimalistic writing makes his stories stand out as being realistic, and relatable.  Carver uses first person point of view when telling a story to accomplish a similar result.  In the short story “Popular Mechanics” in What You Talk about When You Talk about Love Carver uses a first person point of view. The opening statement reads, “I’m glad you’re leaving! I’m glad you’re leaving! Do you hear?” His fist person point of view accomplishes creating a relationship between the narrator and the reader.  It forms a trust allowing the narrators words to be reliable and more believable.  By using the first person the reader is fully able to immerse themselves in the story line and fully live out the moment of understanding and acceptance that the Narrator feels.  It makes the story more powerful.  In the story The Cathedral the author again uses the first person point of view, the speaker states, “A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward too, (Carver, The Cathedral) It also allows the reader to view the piece not only at face value but on a deeper level.  This point of view is key is helping the reader understand the hidden hardships of love and relationships Carver is trying to get across. 

The author also uses something called “Dirty Realism” implying that the author focuses on middle class people with real adversities and heartbreaks, or in other words people readers can relate to.  This allows him to make an impact on a wider range of people.  The way Carver describes these very ordinary subjects and makes them seem more provocative than they really are keeps the readers interested.

The author uses a variety of sentence lengths.  In the Cathedral, the speaker states, “On another tape, she told him about her divorce.”  The briefness of this sentence creates a stronger impact on the reader.  It is so matter of fact.  Carver’s shorter sentences create a stronger impact of what the point the author is trying to get across.  It mirrors the characters short lived feelings about life and its meaning. If this sentence was longer its impact would have been lost and the idea would have been dragged out making its point weaker.  Carver's writing style experiments with imagery, such as settings of dreary living rooms and kitchens was understandable and very identifiable.  Lastly, the author also used symbolism like the Cathedral to indicate change and realizations within the characters. It makes the reader understand as the Narrator did, and this realization would have been as powerful without these devices.  

Another style element that the author uses is that he writes in short, choppy sentences.  This leads the reader to believe that the story is more organic, and gives the reader a peak into the stream of concubines of the narrator.  Similar the author uses motifs to demonstrate common factors that are toxic in relationships.  Alcohol is often associated with fights and loss of self-control.  This drink symbolizes the confusion and lack of control someone has in a relationship.   Later, Carver uses day light to symbolize new beginnings, real love and happiness but like the sun relationships must set, representing that no relationships can last and that they all will run their course. His writing style reflects a lot of the themes he writes about. Carver tells things like it is which reflects how he views real world situations.  Ultimately this makes his short stories more relatable and his themes more relevant.