In the next section, we will list the themes in the story “They’re Not Your Husband” by Raymond Carver. Remember that, usually, a story has one main theme and a number of other secondary themes. The protagonist’s main concern is the way his wife looks, and an important theme in the story is that of physical appearance.
In They’re Not Your Husband by Raymond Carver we have the theme of embarrassment, appearance, acceptance, control, obsession, selfishness and insecurity. Taken from his Will You Please Be Quiet, Please collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story Carver appears to be exploring the theme of appearance, insecurity and embarrassment. There is a sense that Earl is somewhat embarrassed (for himself) by the reaction of the two men when they are discussing Doreen’s appearance as she is getting them ice cream. Though Earl doesn’t confront the men, to defend Doreen, it is later when he is at home that the reader notices that the men’s comments have had an effect on Earl. It is possible that Earl’s fear of what other’s think of Doreen is really an internal insecurity within Earl himself. He is allowing the men’s opinion of Doreen reflect on him. In many ways Doreen’s physical appearance is an extension of Earl himself, at least in Earl’s eyes. It is quite possible that Earl considers a negative opinion or appraisal of Doreen equals a negative view of him.
Earl also appears to be addressing his insecurity (about Doreen’s weight and how he thinks it reflects on him) by controlling Doreen. This is noticeable by the fact that he tells Doreen that she needs to lose weight. The reader already aware that the trigger for Earl’s suggestion to Doreen, is the comments that the men made in the coffee shop. Rather than accept Doreen for who she is, Earl is attempting to change her. It is through this change that the reader also senses that Earl may be somewhat obsessional. This obsession is noticeable by the continuous marking down of Doreen’s weight when Doreen is standing on the weighing scales.
Despite it being clear to the reader and to Doreen’s work colleagues that she is losing too much weight, too quickly, Earl continues to insist that Doreen follow his unqualified weight loss programme. Earl’s suggestion to Doreen that ‘they’re not your husband’ could also possibly suggest that Earl believes that Doreen is answerable to him, rather than being his equal. This may be significant as it could suggest the idea of control. That Earl has to control Doreen. It would also appear that it is more important to Earl that Doreen loses weight, rather than lives a healthy lifestyle.
Carver also appears to be exploring the theme of selfishness in the story. The reader is aware that Earl is out of work and that the family are relying on the money from Doreen’s job to try and stay afloat and despite Earl literally counting the pennies when it comes to Doreen’s tips, he still goes out drinking when it is clear that neither he nor his family can afford for him to do so. Also there is no necessity for Earl to dine at the coffee shop, particularly again when the family cannot afford it. Carver explores the theme of selfishness further by the very fact that Earl wants Doreen to change, not for her benefit but for his. Earl’s primary focus appears to be his concern about what others will think of him because of Doreen’s physical appearance.
Carver also further explores the theme of appearance when Earl is weighing Doreen. He notices the veins on her legs and frowns. This may be important as it suggests the discomfort that Earl feels over Doreen’s appearance. Again Earl appears to be unable to accept Doreen for who she is. It may also be significant that at no stage does Earl ask Doreen how she is feeling. Either when she is sick in bed or when he arrives at the coffee shop (on both occasions). His primary focus appears to be on Doreen losing weight, whether it is healthy or not.
The ending of the story is also interesting. The reader realises, through the reaction of the man at the counter, that Earl is the only one concerned about Doreen’s appearance. There is also a sense that Earl needs the man at the counter to praise Doreen’s appearance, which in turn would again highlight Earl’s insecurity and his reliance on others to validate him. It may also be significant that Doreen, when asked by a colleague ‘who is this joker, anyway?’ replies by telling her colleague that ‘He’s a salesman. He’s my husband.’ It is through this statement that the reader senses Carver is introducing irony into the story. There is every possibility that Earl has viewed Doreen as a product to sell, rather than as a human being.
McManus, Dermot. 'They're Not Your Husband by Raymond Carver.' The Sitting Bee. The Sitting Bee, 3 Jan. 2014. Web.
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They're not your husband is an American short story written by Raymond Carver. The short story is written in the third person and the narrator is Earl Ober who is married to Doreen. It is a chronological story with no flash backs. Earl and Doreen Ober are both in their thirties and they have two or three children. At the moment Earl is unemployed and every three or four days he has an interview with different companies. I assume that Earl has an inclination for drinking; in the text it says twice that Earl either drinks at home or has gone to a bar. I think it bothers him that he is unemployed and the fact that he has nothing to be absorbed in, makes him feel useless and insignificant. This is partly the reason why he starts drinking and suddenly visits Doreen at her job. The family's financial situation isn't very good. Doreen works nights as a waitress at a twenty-four-hour coffee shop and I hardly think that her pay is enough to support the whole family. This pressure also gives Earl a bad conscience and on top of this, his relationship to his children is very superficial and they seldom greet each other, as it says at the bottom of page 23. During one of Earl's visits, two men criticize and make fun of Doreen and her run-down body. I think this is the last straw that breaks the camel's back for Earl. He is unemployed, his wife earns the money, his children don't care about him and suddenly he realizes that other people find his wife charm less.
Doreen is a hard working woman. She comes home in the mornings and sends the children of to school. Doreen is a very helpful person who obeys the authorities; whether it's her husband or her employer. When Earl suddenly suggests that she ought to lose some weight she is overwhelmed and unable to take his suggestion seriously. I think Doreen accepts his wish because she feels sorry for him, and she hopes that she can improve his mood and attitude by loos...
Doreen is a hard working woman. She comes home in the mornings and sends the children of to school. Doreen is a very helpful person who obeys the authorities; whether it's her husband or her employer. When Earl suddenly suggests that she ought to lose some weight she is overwhelmed and unable to take his suggestion seriously. I think Doreen accepts his wish because she feels sorry for him, and she hopes that she can improve his mood and attitude by loos...