“Boxes” by Raymond Carver

Theme The importance of filial relationships

Plot Overview The protagonist’s mother keeps inviting him and his wife over to eat. She says that she will leave soon, and has been saying that for a while. The mom complains often, and moves just as often, but the protagonist still loves her. He worries as she drives away alone back to California. Eventually he finds out that she arrived safely and the neighbors porch light turns off for an ambiguous and symbolic ending.

Important Quotes “I wish you could have been happier here,” Jill says. “I wish you’d been able to stick it out or something. You know what? Your son is worried sick about you.” This brings to light the main purpose of this short story, to describe and reflect the impact of the protagonist’s mother and her importance to him despite her faults. Hearing it, I felt better, less afraid, more hopeful about the future. “Dear,” he’d say. (Pg 424) This demonstrates a shift in the role of the telephone which parallels with the development of the narrator’s view of his mother.

Important Quotes (Continued) “She’s always in the process of packing or unpacking” “Moving around keeps her alive”

Characterization Protagonist-sympathetic, concerned Shows sympathy towards other characters. He also worries for his mother. He is kind and genuine, and is burdened by his mother. Even when she leaves for the final time he is still burdened because he feels that he still must take care of her, but is also worried that he will never see her again.  Jill-supportive, unaware She supports the protagonists when he needs it, but is sometimes less concerned about his issues. She is blunt, straightforward, and speaks what is on her mind.

Characterization (Continued) Mother- irritable, complaining She constantly complains about her living circumstances and perceives many people negatively. Ex) Larry, Traffic, Weather. She is very dependent on her son, making it more and more difficult for him to cope with her leaving for the last time because although he hates having to keep her afloat, it has become routine for him so it feels like something is going to be missing for him.  The mom packs up and leaves to get a fresh start, to run away from her problems, to avoid her responsibilities.

Narrative Point of View The story is told from the point of view of the son. Conflict in choosing between mother or Jill Display the significance of familial relationships Relation to Carver Conflicted with own relationships with old and new

Impact of Title The title is important in that it represents the personality of his mother, as well as his relationship to her. This entire story is about how he kept his emotions sealed away, as if in boxes. Additionally, it isn’t until the mother has arrived in California and began unpacking that his perspective was changed. Boxes is also representative of his mother’s personality because she consistently moves. She views nothing as permanent. Not her location, not her goals, not her troubles, not the protagonist’s wife, not even her own life.