SSRJ #4: Carver
When I was reading “Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver, the one thing that was going through my head was the sadness of family problems. Then I thought more about the title and realized how perfect it was for this story. Every relationship and marriages have issues. Which would be consider popular and the issues are the mechanics. That’s how I was looking at it. The conflict here was emotional and intense. Even though we didn’t know the depths and the reason for the argument but it ended in a tragedy.
The conflict between the couple did set the tone. It begun right when the women snatched the baby’s picture and took the man only minutes to realize he wasn’t leaving without the child. I believe this is where the tone was picking up. He headed down stairs and that’s when all chaos breaks loose. Carver didn’t need to explain much for us to feel the tension. Even though we didn’t know names or much about the setting it was enough for the reader to understand the pain of each parent. What was hard for me to grasp was the pain they were putting their baby through. I’m not a mother but I can’t imagine losing my baby because I caused the death. I’m not sure how I would have handled this conflict. How do you think you have managed this issue?
I am not a mother either, but I do have a niece that I love unconditionally with all of my heart. If I were to put myself into a position where the man I had a relationship with was trying to take her because what seemed to be a power trip, or just to hurt me, I would call 911! It seems to me if someone is grabbing at your child or any child you love that is in your arms, you should run. And if you can't, I certainly do not agree with joining in the physical abuse and playing tug-of-war. Perhaps this woman was just as irrational and selfish as the man was and just wanted to "win."
ReplyDeleteI agree, I am not a mother but also have a niece I would give my life to protect, but in this situation, in my perspective, I didn't see the parent's respond like we would have. Throughout the story they referred to the child as an object and not a person. It was also hard for me to grasp any situation that would put my child's life in danger like they have. I would have called 911 and done anything and everything possible to protect the child. I like how you interpreted the name of the story, it does seem like conflict is too popular in today's relationships.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mother either, but I couldn't imagine losing something so important. Given the family's problems and the heated argument they were in, they obviously weren't thinking clearly. If I were in that situation I would have tried to protect the baby the best I could, but then again you never know what your reaction to a certain situation will be until you're actually in it.
ReplyDeleteI thought the title was really cool because of all the different ways it could be interpreted. The first one that came to mind for me was the mechanics of leverage. When two opposing forces pull in two different directions then something has to give. Unfortunately in this case it was the child. I like your interpretation too though, I hadn't thought of it that way before. I'm a father of three (all toddlers) so naturally I felt for the child and could not really relate to either central characters. But the thematic elements still ring loud and clear. Again, great observation on the title.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you interpreted the title. I hadn't thought of it in that way. I also could never imagine losing someone so important to me but I personally would rather lose someone I loved than to cause them physical pain by fighting for them, especially a helpless infant.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteI do like how you intepreted the title. I was actually looking for a post with an explanation on the title as I really was not sure to the meaning. I think I interpreted the story in a different way than most. Because, I am a Mother I would not allow myself to believe the baby was in physical harm even though I was familiar with the Biblical story of Solomon. I think that is so tragic and awful. My interpretation was he left the baby with the Mother as his hand dropped from the baby. But, I know that was my own wishful thinking as a Mother!