Language

The language used by Raymond Carver in “Call If You Need Me” is uncomplicated and poses no difficulty in interpreting the story.

Several names of places are inserted into the story to give it authenticity and make the readers view the events as likely to have happened: “Pasco, Washington” (l. 5), “Palo Alto” (l. 63), “Sebastopol” (l. 106), or “Eureka” (l. 129). Also, the dialogue employed in the story is straightforward and lacks embellishment, which adds to the authenticity of the story, and makes readers relate to Dan and Nancy’s story:

'I won't do that,' I said. 'I have no intention of doing that.'

'You'll call her,' she said. 'You'll call Del,' I said. I felt rubbishy for saying it.

'You can do what you want,' she said, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. (ll. 237-240)

Imagery

Imagery, which is generally defined as the use of descriptive language in literature – is rarely employed in the story. When the author uses it, he chooses to focus on the setting of the story, as the following extracts show:

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Similes

A few similes are used to enhance the characteristics of characters, places, or things. When Dan talks about the horses, for example, ...

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Symbols

Symbols are the most important stylistic element in the story because they represent the way in which Nancy and Dan relate to each other and their marriage.

Eureka, the name of the place where Dan and Nancy plan to spend the summer, is symbolic because it reminds readers of the famous exclamation of the mathematician Archimedes. The word “Eureka” is an exclamation which indicates finding a solution to a problem, or making a discovery. In the story, the place is symbolic of self-discovery because it is where Nancy finally learns that she and Dan are better off as friends than as spouses.

The house in Eureka symbolizes the final stage of Dan and Nancy’s marriage. The house is beautiful, clean and already filled with all the necessary things and it does not require Dan and Nancy to make an effort to maintain it: “She opened the refrigerator and ran a finger over the counter. 'Thank God, it looks clean enough. I won't have to do any cleaning.'” (ll. 151-153)

Just like the house, their relationship has come to a stage in which they can do nothing to save it.

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