Dominique Leverich
Professor S. Simon
English 2342
28 October 2009
Love:
And What We Talk about
Raymond Carver’s “What we Talk About When we Talk About Love” from the start the reader has the image of two couples having a get together drinking around a table. Carver portrays these characters drinking gin with a little buzz and the topic love is brought about. Love itself is a tough topic to discuss but adding alcohol to the conversation could bring out honest views.
Love is a difficult topic, and no two people view love in the same light so how is anyone to judge if they are in love or someone else is. There are no written rules or regulations to love. Carver’s character Mel stated real love was nothing less than spiritual love. Spiritual love is a combination of the heart and mind, the love every religion has for their God. Not saying that the loved one in the relationship will be a God in the lover’s eyes but there would be an equal share of respect, honor, and commitment.
Being only nineteen the writer cannot say she has felt this spiritual love for anyone except her God and family. On the contrast, family members tell her that the love they share with their partner is different than the love they have for their family. With that said does that not give love two meanings? Carver’s character Terri had an abusive husband. He loved her so much he physically abused her while they were together and killed himself when they were no longer together. That may be what he thought love was.
Every individual has their own perception of love and what it is. Some may never get the love that waited for and desired, not realizing they had all the love they needed. Younger teens and preteens think they are in love with their first boyfriend or girlfriend not knowing love is deeper than holding in hands, hugging, and saying you love the person. An individual who has been in an out of relationships may say love is complicated and dramatic. While...