The short story, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" by Raymond Carver and the poem, "Cinderella," by Anne Sexton both show that love is not just pure and simple. Love can be evil, painful, and complex. In these two pieces of literature we see examples of love and loss. Both pieces of literature, also, show us that there are differing opinions about love and that love is one aspect of life that most everyone wants to experience at some point, good or bad. Sexton looks toward love in a sarcastic "happily ever after" view while Carver shows views of abusive love and quite physical love.
             "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" is a short story told in first person by one of the characters in the story. The characters, two couples in love, discuss their feelings and thoughts about what love means to them. As these four individuals sit around a table drinking gin, they think back on past relationships and talk about how they think people should be treated in a relationship. Mel, Terri, Nick, and Laura all have differing opinions about love. Terri and Mel disagree when it comes to love and how it should be shown. Nick and Laura don't argue about showing and proving their love for one another; they show their love for each other through their actions.
             The poem, "Cinderella," interlaces the traditional fairy tale with elements of modern society (Lewis). The poem carries the theme of love. The poem frequently refers in disbelief to "That story" (5, 10, 21, 109) as if it is just a story and not anyone's reality. Cinderella, like "the nursemaid" and "the charwoman" (6, 17) all got lucky in love.
             Both the short story and the poem imply that life isn't one big fairy tale. Every relationship has conflicts and everyone looks at the meaning of love differently. Not everyone gets the chance t
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