1. “Feathers”
“Feathers” is the story of a night where two friends meet for dinner with their wives. Jack and Fran are childless because they in the beginning of the story think that they do not want children. Jack and Fran go to Bud and Olla’s house for dinner. Bud and Olla have an infant and a peacock. Bud and Olla live in the country and drink beer, but Jack and Fran live in the city and drink wine. Bud and Jack begin to realize their friendship is one of convenience and they don’t have that much in common. But after the dinner Jack and Fran realize they want a child of their own. After the dinner their perspectives change probably because they think a baby may make them happier. Carver notes that “The change came later” (Carver 25), …show more content…
They take out their anger of the baker of their son’s birthday cake. The baker did not know about their son’s accident and death and continued to call the family. Due to their grief and worry Ann and Howard vilified the baker when in fact he was not at fault. The baker first reacts harshly to Ann and Howard’s negative comments, but when he knows what happens he shows sympathy. The baker shows that he is not a villain, and comforts them with food. The baker reminds them “You have to eat and keep going” (Carver 88). The baker provides a contrast to the unknown driver who hit his son. The baker helps to restore Ann and Howard’s faith in humanity. They feel a connection to the lonely baker. They don’t want this moment to end, because it means they will have to face the reality of their son’s death. But for a moment in the bakery they escape their troubles and get to feel love in the face of …show more content…
They are private and don’t reveal much about their past, even when Marge, their landlord talks to Betty while giving her a manicure. What is known is that the father bought a race horse and gambled money to try to get rich. The father is a strange character that isn’t seen much in the story. After a few months at the apartment, the father drunkenly tries to jump into the pool from a hut. After the accident the family is even more withdrawn, and is barely seen for a few weeks. They suddenly pack up and leave, probably because the accident may have caused the mother to lose her job. The family wants to forget the past and what they lost, so the father leaves the bridle behind. The bridle is a symbol of the lack of control of the changing circumstances in one’s life due to outside sources. Marge notes “When you felt it’s pull, you’d know it’s time” (Carver 208) showing that one event can change the course of one’s