Minimalism
I really enjoyed reading Neighbors by Raymond Carver, his style of minimalism kept me interested and caught up in his story. I’m not sure if I could write anything like this though because I am a very detailed oriented person and to be able to list each event smoothly without it sounding broken up seems probably not as easy as Carver makes it look. Minimalism has a mysterious effect to it by not giving away all the information, only the main actions are told not so much as the thoughts of the characters. The tone stays the same throughout and it’s almost like your reading from someone’s journal or diary. Events in the story that are examples of minimalism are 1.When Bill stole the prescription pills there is absolutely no reason stated of why he takes them, if he takes them or even what they were for. 2.After Bill finishes trying on both Jim and Harriet’s clothes the story jumps to Arlene and him eating dinner together. What was left out wasn’t important enough for the story but you still have to guess what events took place in‑between. 3.And when Arlene locked the Stone’s apartment key inside and they couldn’t get back in. It’s not obvious what the Miller’s were truly concerned with. Arlene could have left the pictures lying out since she was distracted by Bill knocking at the door and ending the story this way only leaves you with your imagination to come up with the many conclusions that’s possible.
!! I also am very detailed oriented !! While I thought this was a pretty good story it really bothered me that Carver didn't go into more detail about the characters and why they were doing what they were doing. I suppose that's what minimalism is though; a direct look at life without getting into the details.
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