Characters/Plot
This activity the boy wants to do instead of staying home.
What is hunting?
The boy's final decision represents this transition in life
What is maturity?
Carver switches between these two points of view when moving from the frame story to the inner story.
What are first and third person?
This is the season and weather condition when the story-within-a-story takes place.
What is winter?
This theme shows giving up something.
What is sacrifice?
Rather than directly stating themes about memory and consequence, Carver uses this technique to embed meaning in concrete images and objects.
What is symbolism?
This is where the father now lives when his daughter visits.
What is Milan, Italy?
The story demonstrates this theme about choosing others over self.
What is selflessness?
Carver uses this technique sparingly but effectively to reveal tension between the young couple without lengthy explanations.
What is dialogue?
This is what the boy tries to do for the baby before making his final decision.
This theme explores how relationships force personal change.
What is adaptation?
The young man tries to leave his family problems behind, but this literary concept shows that his past actions have permanent consequences.
What is situational irony?
This is what's wrong with the baby in the inner story.
What is a fever?
This theme shows love through difficult choices
What is devotion?
This narrative technique uses a story within a story.
What is a frame narrative?