Themes and message

The main themes in “Call If You Need Me” by Raymond Carver are infidelity and moving on. Through Dan and Nancy’s story, the author’s message is that divorce and separation are sometimes the best solutions in the case of a broken relationship, although couples with problems tend to believe that remaining together is better.

Infidelity

As the story shows us, both Dan and Nancy have been unfaithful to each other. Dan has been seeing a woman named Susan for quite some time, and Nancy began an adulterous relationship with one of Dan’s colleagues, probably as a form of revenge for Dan’s affair. An interesting element in the story is that both Dan and Nancy are aware of each other’s infidelity and do not see it as something tragic: “We had both been involved with other people that spring, but when June came and school was out we decided to let our house for the summer and move from Palo Alto to the north coast country of California.” (ll. 1-4)

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Moving on

The theme of moving on and letting go of the past is explored through Nancy’s character. She is the one who first understands that dwelling on the past is not healthy and that it will not make their relationship work again.

Dan is quite passive when it comes to the outcome of his marriage, although he is the one who organizes the house that they rent in Eureka. Once they get there, however, he is content with whatever Nancy decides and does not insist on questioning her decision.

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