For Friday: Carver, Where I'm Calling From (stories below)

 

NOTE: Remember Paper #3 is due on Wednesday, so we don't have class tomorrow. I look forward to reading your Austen papers!

READ: "Put Yourself In My Shoes," "Are These Actual Miles?" and "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love"

Answer TWO of the following: 

Q1: In many ways, "Put Yourself In My Shoes" is a story about writing stories, and how a story should be told. Why does Morgan get so offended when Myers laughs at his second story (and why does he)? Why does he think this is proof that Myers is not a writer at all? 

Q2: Is it ever clear what Toni has to do to sell the car in "Are These Actual Miles?" And more importantly, does Leo understand what is involved in this transaction? Is he guilty about letting her go in the story, or does he gradually realize what she's prepared to do to save them?

Q3: The humorously titled, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" has a first-person narrator, even though it's almost entirely back-and-forth dialogue. What does this perspective add to the story? How does it subtly change what we hear and how we understand it?

Q4: Many find Carver's stories hopelessly depressing and pessimistic, while others think he finds the simple beauty and love in down-and-out people and situations. How do you respond to these stories and why? Is he trying to humanize these characters, or satirize them?