"Popular Mechanics"

“Popular Mechanics” by Carver

Question 1

The couple is splitting up, and along with this action, property between the couple must be divided. The primary issue that the couple is “deciding” over is who gets the baby. “She grabbed for the baby’s other arm. She caught the baby around the wrist and leaned back. But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard,” (Carver). From evidence in this excerpt, the baby was ripped apart. The issue was decided that no one gets the baby because the baby is now dead. The irony in this short story reminded me of a “Modest Proposal” by Swift. Both works use baby violence to convey their theme. The irony is that the man and woman both fought for and wanted the baby, but they ended up killing it. Now no one can have it. This irony reveals the theme that when relationships break, especially in divorce, that the love couples once shared gets ripped apart when fighting for what they want. In the end fighting for what they want becomes a waste because neither person in the relationship gets what they want.