The enigma of love has puzzled and captivated artists, poets, and writers for centuries. American poet and short story writer Raymond Carver offers his own interpretation of this elusive concept in his renowned 1981 short story collection, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". Through the dialogue of four characters, Carver delves into the complexities and mysteries of love, leaving readers with a timeless and thought-provoking exploration of this universal human experience.
Ranging from 1938 to 1988, Raymond Carver was a prolific writer best known for his successful short story collections. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" remains one of his most iconic works, with its title suggesting the depth and significance of the story's theme. As the characters struggle to define and understand love, Carver employs the literary genre of dirty realism, which focuses on the lives of ordinary middle-class individuals and the darkness they often encounter.
The term "dirty realism" was first coined by Bill Buford in 1983, describing authors who wrote about the harsh realities of contemporary life with a detached and at times, comedic tone. Along with Carver, other notable writers in this genre include Tobias Wolff, Charles Bukowski, Jayne Anne Phillips, Elizabeth Tallent, and Richard Ford.
The setting of "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" is a familiar kitchen in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with no specific details indicating the time period. This decision by Carver allows the story to remain timeless and relatable to readers of any generation. However, there are subtle hints that connect to Carver's own life, such as his struggles with alcoholism.
Born and raised in a small mill town in Oregon, Carver grew up in a household where alcoholism was prevalent. He followed in his father's footsteps and also struggled with the addiction, taking on various blue-collar jobs to support his family. After returning to school in 1958, Carver's first short story was published in 1960, paving the way for his rise to fame as a renowned writer. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" was published in 1981, further solidifying his place in the literary world.
In exploring the complexities of love, alcoholism is a recurring theme in Carver's work, evident in "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" as the characters use alcohol as a means of expressing their emotions and connecting with one another. This could be a reflection of Carver's own struggles with alcohol, which intensified in the 1970s. Despite his wife Maryann's unwavering loyalty, Carver engaged in extramarital affairs and was rumored to have been physically abusive while under the influence. In her memoir, Maryann wrote, "I loved Ray, first, last, and always." This unwavering devotion echoes Terri's insistence that Ed's aggression stems from love.
The story also touches on the evolving attitudes towards love in the 1970s and 1980s. Terri's decision to live with Ed without marriage would have been considered taboo in the past, and the fact that three out of the four characters are divorced and remarried (Mel, Nick, and Laura) speaks to the changing values of that time.
Raymond Carver's "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" is a haunting and timeless exploration of the complexities and darkness of love. Through his characters and their perspectives, Carver challenges traditional notions of love and reminds us that it is a concept that continues to intrigue and confound us.
Terri and Mel gather in the kitchen with their friends, Laura and Nick, to discuss the complex nature of love. Terri, a survivor of an abusive relationship, dismisses her own beliefs in true love and suggests that her current feelings for her husband are merely a honeymoon phase. Nick, the narrator, observes the conversation as Mel dominates the discussion, sharing a story from the hospital that displays true love between an elderly couple. As the group continues to contemplate love and relationships, Mel reflects on his own past experiences and the complications of love. He concludes that after heartbreak, everyone falls in love again, adding to the confusion surrounding the true nature of love.
The short story centers around four characters, with a few minor characters mentioned throughout the narrative, offering different perspectives on love in the 1970s and 1980s.
The short story "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" provides insight into the ever-changing perceptions and understanding of love while offering a glimpse into the lives of four individuals struggling to define this powerful emotion.
In this short story, Terri discusses her skepticism about love and reveals that she and Nick are in their honeymoon phase. Despite this, she still shows affection towards Nick through gentle touches and holding hands. However, the story also explores the influence of Ed, who is not physically present, on Terri's views on love. Despite being abusive and threatening, Terri believes Ed's actions were driven by love. When Ed realizes that Terri has moved on, he takes his own life, further complicating the concept of love in the story.
The primary literary devices used are point of view and symbolism. The story is told from Nick's first-person perspective as he observes the dialogue between Mel and Terri, the main contributors to the discussion on love. While we do not get much insight into Nick's thoughts, his role as the narrator is crucial in advancing the story.
Symbolism plays a significant role in the story, representing the characters' relationships, thoughts, and the vast universe. The most prominent symbols include the sun and darkness, the heart, and alcohol.
At the start of the story, the group is gathered in the kitchen on a sunny afternoon with "sunlight fill[ing] the room from the window behind the sink." The mood is light and carefree as they discuss love while drinking. The sunlight symbolizes clarity and ease as they confidently debate the true nature of love. Even when Terri shares her past abusive relationship, the mood remains pleasant, and the sun continues to shine.
As their conversation delves deeper into the complexities of love, the sunlight begins to fade, replaced by the darkness of the night. As they struggle to define love, their confidence and clarity diminish, paralleling the fading light. By the end, the room is completely dark, symbolizing their confusion and uncertainty about love. The narrator notes that he can hear "everyone's heart," highlighting the irony of Mel's profession as a cardiologist while struggling to understand love.
In his short story, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love," Raymond Carver delves into the complexities and uncertainties of love and how it can both bring people together and push them apart.
Alcohol plays a pivotal role in the story, initially bringing the characters closer but ultimately revealing the darker and messier aspects of their relationships as they become increasingly drunk. This dual nature of alcohol as a means of connection and isolation is a symbolic representation of the larger themes of love, communication, and connection explored in the story.
Amidst the characters' drunken conversations, love emerges as the central topic. However, it is portrayed in a far from idealized manner, with stories of car crashes, killer bees, abuse, and suicide. Each character has their own interpretation of what love truly is.
Terry, who has experienced abuse in a past relationship, sees love as something worth dying for. Her ex-boyfriend's actions, in her eyes, were an expression of true love. This raises questions about the blurred lines between love and violence.
In contrast, Nick and Laura's relationship is based on physical attraction, but it is unclear if this alone can be considered love. As Terry aptly points out, their infatuation may hinder them from fully understanding the complexities of love.
Mel holds a more simplistic view, claiming love is a constant desire to physically be with someone. He uses an elderly couple unable to see each other in the hospital as an example of love leading to physical pain. This prompts the question of whether love is purely a physical longing or something more profound.
Ultimately, the characters' contrasting perspectives reveal their ignorance and inexperience with love, as reflected in the original title of the story, "Beginners."
Carver's decision to change the title from "Beginners" to "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" is telling of the story's underlying themes.
"Beginners" suggests a sense of naivety and lack of understanding, which aligns with the characters' struggles to define love. On the other hand, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" alludes to the ever-changing and enigmatic nature of love, which the characters are unable to fully comprehend.
Ultimately, both titles offer insight into the complexities of love and the challenges that come with understanding it. Through the use of first-person narration and symbolism, Carver presents a unique perspective on the elusive nature of love and its impact on our lives.
Raymond Carver's short story, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love", delves into the intricate themes of love, communication, and connection. Through the characters' shared experiences and their attempts to understand love, Carver explores the complexities and limitations of human relationships.One of the main symbols in the story is gin, which becomes a tool for the characters to express themselves and open up about heavy topics. As they drink, they discuss sensitive issues such as abuse, suicide, and divorce, and they even profess love for one another. However, the use of alcohol also reveals the flaws in their communication skills, as they struggle to fully comprehend and articulate their feelings.This is evident when Terri reveals that her ex-husband loved her, and Mel responds with doubt, saying, "I don't know what you'd call it, but I sure know you wouldn't call it love." Mel's inability to accurately express the nature of their relationship exposes his limited understanding of love. Later, he admits to not knowing much about love, and no one else corrects him, as they all struggle with effectively communicating their thoughts and emotions.The lack of effective communication is further highlighted when the group argues over the difference between vessels and vassals. Despite essentially discussing the same concept, their differing interpretations of language hinder their conversation. This conflict over semantics becomes a barrier to their ability to move forward and share new ideas.The characters fall into a pattern of repeatedly revisiting the same topics - the alcohol, the restaurant, Ed, and knights - which reflects their limitations in communication and their inability to learn from each other. In the end, the alcohol that brings them together also holds them back from personal growth.The story's central theme is the ambiguity and intricacies of love. Rather than portraying the idealized version oftentimes seen in media, Carver delves into the complicated and messy aspects of love. The characters struggle to define what love truly is, and the more they discuss it, the more unsure they become in their understanding.Carver's use of light and darkness, as well as the heart and alcohol, serve as powerful symbols that add depth to the story. These symbols represent the conflicting emotions and ideas surrounding love and its complexities.In conclusion, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that delves into the murky waters of love, communication, and connection. It challenges our preconceived notions of love and highlights the limitations of human communication. Carver's expert storytelling and use of symbolism make this a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the nature of love.
