Jacob Hickey
English 110-H4
Professor Miller
Raymond Carver’s “A Small, Good Thing” Response
In Raymond Carver’s tragic short story, “A Small, Good Thing”, he teaches the reader that food is a tremendous connector for people, as well as comfort in times of need because of the warmth and satisfaction it provides for the human body and soul. By using words such as “warm” and “sweet”, he is able to impart imagery, detail, and color in the minds of the reader to show them how food can make people feel in painfully unimaginable circumstances.
The baker and two parents have a certain feeling of hopelessness and lack of control. The parents, Ann and Howard, do not understand how to cope with this sudden death as shown when Howard drives home from the hospital and thinks about the “forces he knew existed and that could cripple or bring down a man if the luck went bad” (Carver). The baker responds to the parents after learning of their child’s death, “‘You got to understand what it comes down to is I don’t know how to act anymore, it would seem’” and “sense of doubt” that had overcome him in recent years (Carver). The food the baker produces for the two parents at the end of the short story brings a certain amount of control to their lives again. They are able to control the amount of food they eat and what types of rolls they consume. The food made all three of the people connect and listen as the writer describes, “Then he began to talk. They listened carefully. Although they were tired and in anguish, they listened to what the baker had to say” (Carver). Carver teaches the reader that in times of hardship, having companionship and friendship from others is vital in overcoming tragedy.
Another point made by Carver is that everyone should think before they act because you never know what others are going through. During the child’s hospitalization, the baker continually called the hurting parents, even at midnight, and made Anne, the mother, incredibly angry saying, “‘I wanted you dead’” (Carver). Carver teaches a terrific lesson all people should live by, inferring through the characters that everyone should think of the other side, what are “they” going through.
Food provides a connection for everyone in different circumstances. It provides warmth, comfort, and friendship. It is an opportunity to show others you care. It offers relief in times of great tragedy as shown in this short story. Because it’s something everyone does, we all have stories that involve eating or sharing food.
