Carver, (Beginners, 14):
“Lately, he’s been talking about suicide again. Especially when he’s been drinking. Sometimes I think he’s too vulnerable. He doesn’t have any defenses. He doesn’t have defenses against anything. Well,” she said, “gin’s gone. Time to cut and run. Time to cut our losses, as my daddy used to say. Time to eat, I guess, though I don’t have any appetite. But you guys must be starving. I’m glad to see you eating something. That’ll keep you until we get to the restaurant. We can get drinks at the restaurant if we want them. Wait’ll you see this place, it’s something else. You can take books out of there along with your doggie bag. I guess I should get ready, too. I’ll just wash my face and put on some lipstick. I’m going just like I am. If they don’t like it, tough. I just want to say this, and that’s all. But I don’t want it to sound negative. I hope and pray that you guys still love each other five, even three years from now the way you do today. Even four years from now, say. That’s the moment of truth, four years. That’s all I have to say on the subject.” She hugged her thin arms and began running her hands up and down them. She closed her eyes.
I stood up from the table and went behind Laura’s chair. I leaned over her and crossed my arms under her breasts and held her. I brought my face down beside hers. Laura pressed my arms. She pressed harder and wouldn’t let go.
Lish:
Discussion (Please respond in the comments section of the Home Page)
In the final, published version of “What We Talk about When We Talk about Love,” Lish has completely removed the description of Mel’s internal struggle. Does Mel’s struggle matter and/or add depth to the overall theme and purpose of Carver’s work?
In the final, published version of “What We Talk about When We Talk about Love,” Lish has completely removed the description of Mel’s internal struggle. Does Mel’s struggle matter and/or add depth to the overall theme and purpose of Carver’s work?
