A small, Good Thing
...ality. Carver also addresses a human being’s life purpose. For example, the baker, like many people who work in contemporary society, doesn’t live his passion. He aimlessly drifts around, goes to work, does his job and just makes food to celebrate other people’s happiness. His own life is void of such festivities, and it is this resentment that causes him to prank call Ann and Howard, the parents of a hospitalized little boy. Like most contemporary mothers, Ann is visibly anxious about her son’s health, and she acts just like any mother would in contemporary society by staying by her son’s side. Howard, though, appears more insecure and needs assurances. Like most contemporary fathers, he wants proof that his son will be and seeks it from the doctor. As the essay ends, though, we find that Ann and Howard lose their son, Scotty. When Scotty takes his last breath, and his parents realize that he is gone, they are huddle together. Ann, ever the mother, even consoles here husband, saying, “There, there, Howard he’s gone.” Clearly, the two have a strong relationship based on love and compassi...