Essay about Raymond Carver (what We Talk About When We Talk About Love)

Ed shows a lot of helpfulness to everyone and especially Christopher. This is what lets Ed be so good with Christopher, patience lets Ed be

6. Edie is drawn to Terry because she feels he needs her help and needs someone to care for him, being a teacher in training has touched this side of her. She engages in a relationship with Terry even though he is involved with her brothers murder because she feels he can help solve who actually killed Joey, and can see past the whole situation.

something happened in his mind that erased the man who loved his wife and wanted to help

On page 178, Mel states, “…And it ought to make us feel ashamed when we talk like we know what we’re talking about when we talk about love.” In short, Mel is suggesting that none of the characters understand love, and those who think they do (Nick and Laura) are temporarily disillusioned. Additionally, Carver invalidates Nick and Laura’s comments on love by categorizing them as new fools in love, meaning that Nick’s comment about love being absolute is far from true. The contrast of the two couples relationships suggests that there are many forms and stages of love, which further disproves its absoluteness. In conclusion, the contrast of all four characters’ views questions both the existence and the verbal definition of true love.

As a child, Mel was a small and sickly boy. He was bullied and picked on by his peers. By taking on the comically aggressive job of Tummler in various Catskills resorts, he overcame

said to her was true she would live with him and be his love. However

Mel on the other hand, is not passionate. It seems as though Terri favored marriage with Ed over marriage with Mel.

Unfortunately, he was terrorized by the violent behavior of his wife, Laura. He tolerates this not only because he loves his wife and is concerned over the welfare of his daughter, but also because men are traditionally regarded as weaklings if they allow themselves to be battered by their wives. However, after one of Laura's destructive tantrums brings the attention of the police, Ed is suspected of being the aggressor. Finally, Laura goes too far and Ed tries to defend himself - whereupon Laura crashes through the front window of her home and is rendered comatose. Consequently, Ed is arrested for domestic violence and attempted murder.

him to bribe the woman into coming back, this is known as the honeymoon syndrome.

He wished he never had her. If she doesn't go get married on

Mel is a hard worker and very responsible. He writes and takes notes on his agenda of assignments and manages to organize his time to complete it on time. One of Mel’s strengths is that he doesn’t give up and challenge himself to do his very best. Sometimes Mel is too hard on himself and has a hard time accepting mistakes.

nature of love and argues that there should be a balance between the two. He elaborates on that

When his wife passed away, Eddie felt as if he had lost a piece of himself and cut his heart off. Eddie reveals that he felt angry at Marguerite for leaving him so early, but still loved her all the while after she had passed on. Marguerite explains that it is understandable to be saddened by the loss of a loved one, but shows Eddie that just because she left him and their love was not the same as what it once was, does not mean the love is no longer

Ed is introduced in the novel being a very pleasant hard working father, who will do anything for Christopher, but Christopher doesn’t recognize his emotions in turn giving him very blank thoughts emotionally, Christopher is also very insensitive towards others issues and problems...” And this shows that sometimes people want to be stupid and they do not want to know the truth” (P.139). Ed shows much more emotion than Christopher and has a more sentimental side to him.” Father was sitting on the sofa watching snooker on the television and drinking whiskey. There were tears coming out of his eyes". Ed is expressing his feelings about his ex-wife’s “death” at the same time Ed is dealing with many of his own problems, he also contradicts himself “Christopher, you must stay out of trouble, OK”. (P.20) while he is trying

In regards to Ed, Shelly repeats what she had said to Mort all those years back. Later Maura and Shelly’s announcement that they design to “ease Ed into the subsequent transition,” Ali resists. Maura points out that Shelly is paining and that the children don’t notice. Josh says that he calls, and Shelly breaks down, “I don’t desire you to call me. I desire you to be here.” She points to Maura and says that “he’s the merely one who comes.” Maura corrects her to “she.” Sarah recommends including the rabbi, at that point but Josh pulls out his phone and explains he can text her. That considerably lightens the mood after they all find out that he’s been, in their words, “f—ing the