Popular Mechanics

"Popular Mechanics"
Raymond Carver

This story was a bit crazy, to say the least.  Most noticeable in this story was the lack of quotation marks whenever either person was speaking.  While annoying to the reader, the lack of marks throughout the piece further adds to its harsh, grim nature.  This was a terrible story, but I understand the couple's trying to mend their marriage with the only thing left holding them together--the baby.  That was difficult to read because I kept picturing the fight in my mind, which I suppose was Carver's intent.  His descriptions of the fight were obviously creepy and showed both his and her emotions and reasons for wanting the child.
The last line of the story--"In this manner, the issue was decided" (Carver) was very important and to answer the first question on the sheet, the "issue" is who gets custody of the child.  I think that the man got the baby because of his physical dominance over her and the child.  The tone of the story is grim and morose, as the few details imply an extremely unhealthy relationship and his desire to leave.  The fourth question on the sheet was interesting because it asks about why the couple is splitting up.  We don't really get a feel for why, but obviously if they are willing to physically fight over their baby, things aren't so hot between them.  The question also asks if it matters, and I don't think it does.  We still get a feel for their relationship and we can understand the fight and their problems with each other.

This video is an adaptation of the story and is suggestive of the baby's outcome.  It's pretty funny because of the acting and scenery, but it is horrible like the story because it shows the couple fighting over the baby and the baby's falling in the end.