A Small, Good Thing

"It was like daylight under the florescent trays of light"--is a metaphor for a new beginning and communion with others that leads to compassion and understanding, and even to friendship among Ann,...

Raymond Carver elicits the reader’s sympathy for characters in “A Small, Good Thing” through their interactions and observations. Ann and the baker’s two interactions are very different. Nonetheless,...

The baker in "A Small, Good Thing" initially appears as a gruff and unpleasant character, frustrated by a cake order left uncollected. However, after learning of the death of Ann and Howard's son,...

The main conflict in "A Small, Good Thing" is the loss of Scotty's life in a car accident. Carver adds a second minor conflict by introducing the baker and his harassing phone calls which allows us...

The phrase "Eating is a small, good thing in a time like this" from Raymond Carver's "A Small, Good Thing" signifies the comforting and healing power of simple acts, like eating together, during...

Carver's "A Small Good Thing" is a story about families, the necessary tradition and routine of family interaction, and the importance of empathy—an important topic for the times in which it was...

The cake in "A Small, Good Thing" symbolizes both life and death. Initially ordered to celebrate Scotty's birthday, it becomes a symbol of loss as it remains uncollected, paralleling Scotty's decline...

The parents' grief in "A Small, Good Thing" is expressed through their uncertainty and despair. Ann repeatedly questions Scotty's condition, reflecting her anxiety and foreboding. Upon Scotty's...

The author depicts Scotty being hit by a car on his birthday to serve as a pivotal moment that leads to a significant interaction between his grieving parents and a lonely baker. This tragic event...

"Raymond's Run" and "A Small, Good Thing" share themes of unexpected alliances and compassion. In "Raymond's Run," Squeaky forms a bond with her rival, Gretchen, to help her brother Raymond pursue...

"A Small, Good Thing" and "What the Doctor Said" highlight the limitations and power of communication. Both works reveal that words often fail to express true emotions, as seen in the doctor's...