Questions:
Carver and Chopin: Tales of Love analyzed
In this assignment you will read two stories that deal with the theme of love. Kate Chopin wrote at the end of the 19th century and created nontraditional female characters that react to their culturally stifling lives in unexpected ways.
In the other story, Raymond Carver, who wrote during the 1960's and 70's, presents a conversation between two modern married couples. There is no narrator to provide interpretation, nor an omniscient point of view, which leaves gaps in understanding and allows you as the reader to evaluate the four personalities yourself, deciding which character has the clearer understanding of true love.
1. Read Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin. Write three paragraphs considering the following:
Does Armand really love Desiree? Can love conquer all, even racial bias? When our culture tells us we are not allowed to love a certain person, are we able to break free from our heritage? Or is there danger in disregarding our cultural norms for love? Could this story happen this way today or are we passed the rules our cultures inflict on us regarding love?
Use quotes from the story, with MLA citations, to support your ideas.
2. Read "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" by Raymond Carver. Write three paragraphs considering the following:
Notice Carver's skill in capturing the realities of everyday conversation through his dialogue. His main character, Mel, feels that love is something spiritual. Terri, his wife, tells a story of love as something more passionate, but violent, while the whole conversation revolves around the question of whether or not true love really exists. Think of your own definition of true love. Can you describe it? Is it everywhere or is it rare? Is it simple or complicated? Which of the characters in the story do you agree with and which do you disagree with?
Use quotes from the story, with MLA citations, to support your ideas.