Vera

Outer characterization

Vera appears in the short story “A Serious Talk” by Raymond Carver. We do not know exactly what her relationship with Burt is, but the narrative hints that they are separated or divorced. She has two children with Burt, a daughter (p. 16, l. 17) and a son (p. 16, l. 18). The story suggests that she is in a relationship with a man named Charlie (p. 16, l. 7). Vera’s physical appearance is not described, but there are instances when she is described wearing the sweater that Burt gave her (p. 16, l. 22), a bathrobe (p. 18, l. 1), and jeans and a sweater (p. 20, l. 7). 

Inner characterization

Vera is characterized by her conflictual relationship with Burt. Although they are separated or divorced, she still allows him to be a p...