"Neighbors" by Raymond Carver (pg. 137)

Raymond Carver is a writer that allows the reader to use their own imagination. Instead of drawing out in detail what you should imagine the characters looking like, the surrounding in the setting, or every step by step image of the story, he leaves room for each reader to create their own visions. Most writers try to paint the story completely with words and leave little for the reader to infer themselves. This is what makes him a minimalism writer.

In the beginning of the story you are already forced to imagine what Bill and Arlene Miller look like, what kind of house they live in, and what their neighbors look like. This image is quickly reprimanded when you read that the Stones live across the hall. That home arrangement that was previously in your head had quickly changed.

The Miller’s have a simple dinner or maybe a lavish dinner, it all depends on your perception of the story. Then they have small talk while she folds a tablecloth that one can only image the extrinsic details of it sent it was given as a gift from Santa Fe.

Once Bill goes to the Stones, Carver vaguely describes the apartment and only points out the smell and the clock. He loosely gives hints in his story to lead your mind without telling details.

Once you read further into the story, on Bill’s second cat feeding you assume that he has only been in the Stone’s house for a little bit since Carver does not go into too much detail about what he is doing. When Arlene comes to the door frustrated about him being there for over an hour, you become shocked just as much as Bill seems to be. So what else is he doing in that house that takes so long and arouses his sexual side? Why is he not feeling well the next day and needs to take a walk? Why does he keep his hands in his pocket? Why does he want an excuse to go back into the apartment? All of these questions ran through my head as I read this story. There is so much suspense in not having details. Imaginations are allowed to run wild.

      Wow, when Carver does express details on some of the things that Bill does in the Stones house you become shocked. I think that is one of the reasons he makes the reader put so much effort into coming up with their own images. So when he does bestow description, you become stunned. Many descriptive stories give so many details that you can pretty much tell where the story is going. Even as the story ends, I had so many unanswered questions like, did Arlene leave the pictures out when he came knocking? Will the Stones see what she had been doing? Did Bill already know about the pictures? Is that why he spent so much time over there? What were those pills that he took out of the cabinet and why did he want them? Did the Stones realize that some of their stuff was missing when they came back?

As the story comes to an end my head rushes still with suspense and wonder. What else happens? I need to know. My own imagination is not enough to suffice my nosiness. I have the same feelings that the town women in “Rose for Emily” must have had when they were shut out form Ms. Emily’s business!