To me, minimalism is when you do everything minimally. You use the fewest resources when building or the fewest amount of ingredients when baking. You try to conserve as many resources as possible no matter what you may be using them for. You don't like to waste anything or any time doing needless tasks. Minimalism could also go towards how you do your job or spend your free time.
Examples that illustrate minimalism.
1. Carver sets the scene of Bill and Arlene taking care of their neighbors apartment while they are away somewhere which he could have put in especially since the Millers' were being kind enough to look after their home.
2. The kitty... she could have been described more and maybe given a name although Kitty seems to be minimal enough to let us know.
3. When Bill took the pills from the cabinet at the Stones' apartment. The only description we received was that they were for Harriet Stone and she was supposed to take one a day. He slipped them into his pocket not even knowing what exactly they were.
4. The Millers' were supposed to water the plants. They filled the picture and went to water. Went to water what? A few more details would have surely set the scene more for us as readers.
Showing posts with label Raymond Carver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raymond Carver. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver (p. 180)
Life Lessons
I was very pigheaded when I was younger. Against my mother's advice, I married when I was only 15. The day after my marriage, my husband started physically abusing me. I made excuses to my family to explain my bruises and lacerations. I went through this for two years, always implying to myself that it was my fault and never having enough courage to protect myself. When I was 17, I became pregnant. I miscarried due to kick in my stomach. I became pregnant again rather quickly almost losing this one too due to another kick in the stomach. I somehow managed to carry my child until he was big enough to survive outside of the womb and gave birth to a healthy baby boy right before I turned 18. Mostly things were fine at first, but the stress of parenthood at such a young age was, I gather, too difficult for my then husband to handle. He continued to abuse me. One day, when my son was only three months old, he proceeded to attack me while I was holding my tiny baby in my arms. He went out and I left him that day and never looked back. My eyes were opened due to the fact that if he could harm me while I was holding his baby than the time would come when he would abuse him as well and I couldn't have that. After all, it is supposed to be a parent's job to protect their child. If I had not had a child, I would probably still be very stupid and still be with the abuser. I am very grateful that he helped me open my eyes to get out of that situation.
I was very pigheaded when I was younger. Against my mother's advice, I married when I was only 15. The day after my marriage, my husband started physically abusing me. I made excuses to my family to explain my bruises and lacerations. I went through this for two years, always implying to myself that it was my fault and never having enough courage to protect myself. When I was 17, I became pregnant. I miscarried due to kick in my stomach. I became pregnant again rather quickly almost losing this one too due to another kick in the stomach. I somehow managed to carry my child until he was big enough to survive outside of the womb and gave birth to a healthy baby boy right before I turned 18. Mostly things were fine at first, but the stress of parenthood at such a young age was, I gather, too difficult for my then husband to handle. He continued to abuse me. One day, when my son was only three months old, he proceeded to attack me while I was holding my tiny baby in my arms. He went out and I left him that day and never looked back. My eyes were opened due to the fact that if he could harm me while I was holding his baby than the time would come when he would abuse him as well and I couldn't have that. After all, it is supposed to be a parent's job to protect their child. If I had not had a child, I would probably still be very stupid and still be with the abuser. I am very grateful that he helped me open my eyes to get out of that situation.
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