Discussion Assignment Unit 2 PDF

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Summary

This is the Discussion Assignment Unit 2 for ENGL 1102...

Description

Deductive summary of Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver (1988). The story begins with a man packing up his belongings into a suitcase, a clear indication of his intentions to leave. As the story progresses, the reader is met with the reality of a gruelling situation. The woman aggressively trying to get a rise out of the man indicates the souring of an intimate relationship between the man and the woman. “I’m glad you’re leaving! I’m glad you’re leaving! she said. Do you hear? He kept on putting his things into the 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?” (Carver, 1988).

Continually, the woman proceeds to remove the photograph of a baby from the man’s belongings which seeming frustrated him . He tries to get it back by simply asking for for it but the woman refuses to oblige. In my opinion, this is the breaking point for the man, if he couldn’t have the photograph, surely he could have the baby. The man is fully packed at this point and the climax of the story unfolds as they move from the bedroom to the living room. He proceeds to argue with her about wanting the baby who is now in her arms but she refuses to budge. The argument escalates rather quickly and as their physical altercation leads to the breaking of a flower pot, it is not hard for the reader to foreshadow a tragic outcome. In such a way, the matter was concluded (Carver, 1988).

The last sentence in the story left a bitter pit in my stomach. What happened to the baby? That question still lingers in my subconscious. Sadly, they way events unfolded, leaves little to the imagination. They were both defiantly pulling the baby in opposite directions. With emotions high and no one willing to concede, it is not far fetched to assume that this story ended the way it began, tragically. The death of the relationship was unfortunately also the death of the product of the relationship, a child (Carver, 1988).

I liked this story because it peaked my curiosity, it seems to talk about a mundane relationship coming to an end and how emotionally unhinging that can be. In times of loss and uncertainty, we tend to spiral into our emotions. More so, it portrays how engaging the “popular mechanics” of aggression and overreaction as opposed to a cordial dialogue or waiting until tensions are deescalated can lead to very tragic outcomes. In the end, this story serves as a cautionary tale to the reader. One that forces you to think critically and introspect.

References Carver, R. (1988). Popular Mechanics. http://www.tesltimes.com/pmech.html

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