Neighbors
Raymond Carver's "Neighbors" is a moral based story. The most important concept about this story is that people are bored with what they have and desperately want what they don't have. Carver brings this idea to life by comparing how the main characters Bill and Arlene Miller view their lives to their neighbors Harriet and Jim Stone. In the beginning of their marriage Bill and Arlene were very content with one another's companionship, but now they live in envy of their neighbors, Harriet and Jim. It seemed to the Millers that the Stones live a much more fulfilling life. When Harriet and Jim are away on business/vacation trip they would entrust Bill and Arlene to feed Kitty, water the plants, and look after their apartment. As Bill fulfilled his neighborly duties he would snoop through Harriet and Jims' precious belongings and imagine himself as if their apartment was his world. Each time Bill entered the Stones home the temptation of being something he wasn't got the better of him, and he would exhibit strange and unusual behaviors. When he would finish prowling around Bill would quietly return home but he always would leave with a "feeling
When the plot thickens the Millers become a little strange, and behind the locked door Bill and Arlene demonstrate very odd behaviors. If Carver had not written this piece of fiction this way it would have taken away from the not knowing what was going on in the characters minds. For this the idea plays into the irony of the story, "The grass is greener on the other side". Everyone has some time or another wanted to be something their not or desperately wanted something they don't posses. The Millers pushed the trust that was valued of the Stones also. "(Carver, pg 70) Arlene, much like her husband, had a venturous time in the Stones home as well. 73) Maybe it was all about the excitement of trying on a new and more interesting identity. " (Carver, pg 70) The antagonist characters, Harriet and Jim, are always mixing Jims business trips with pleasure and enjoying some type of entertainment. "Neighbors" Literature (September 2002) pg 69 . "For a long time he looked out the living room window from behind the curtain. In conclusion, the story "Neighbors" is a well written piece of fiction. The Millers shared a common thought that was on the weird side of things, "maybe they won't come back, she said. He opened his arms and she moved into them. The reality check when they can't get back in.
Common topics in this essay:
Chivas Regal,
Bill Arlene,
Harriet Jims',
Carver's Neighbors,
Harriet Jim,
Arlene Bill,
Jim Stone,
Arlene Carver,
harriet jim,
Literature September,
Millers Stones,
bill arlene,
carver pg,
neighbors harriet jim,
neighbors harriet,
feed kitty water,
jim stone,
characters bill,
pg 70,
lives neighbors,
feed kitty,
kitty water plants,
main characters bill,
lives neighbors harriet,
kitty water,
|
Acceptance Essays
