In Raymond Carver's "Popular Mechanics" details are used to symbolize the lives of the characters and the changes in their lives during and after the break up between the man and woman. Carver uses four details as symbols in the story: the dark and dreary details of the weather, the woman's picking up the picture, the knocking down of the flower pot, and the pulling on the baby. ... Even though Carver does not come right out and say it, the lives of the man, woman, and child were changed dramatically. Carver instead uses details as symbols to represent the effects of the situation on...

• Word Count: 511
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" is a passage about change in an unnamed protagonist who is blinded by prejudices and his journey to enlightenment thought the assistance of a blinded man by the name of Robert. ... Carver addresses the barriers imposed by the human tendency to rely on vision as the sole means of experiencing the world. ... Carver also develops the two main characters to completely mirror one another. ... Carver addresses society's misconception of vision and its connection with knowledge, bringing out the idea of sight being the handicap rather than the blindnes...

• Word Count: 953
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School