Analysis

An analysis of the short story “So Much Water So Close to Home” by Raymond Carver shows that the text follows a non-chronological plot structure. The narrative contains foreshadowing elements and examples of internal and external conflicts.

The main characters of the story are Claire and Stuart. After Stuart and his friends fail to report a murder as soon as they notice a dead body, Claire grows increasingly distant from her husband. The story suggests that Claire is suspicious of Stuart, whom she considers somehow responsible for the death of the girl they found during the fishing trip. 

The events take place somewhere in the United States. First, the story focuses on Naches River and its surroundings, where Stuart and his friends found a girl’s dead body. Other events take place at Claire’s home, at the hairdresser’s, at the funeral parlor, and on the road. These places have symbolical meanings, and they give hints about Claire and Stuart’s attitudes. The story’s social setting contains examples of traditional gender roles and violence against women. 

The story is told by Claire, the first-person narrator. She only knows her husband’s version of the fishing trip story and hints that she suspects Stuart and his friends of killing the girl. 

The language is neutral and simple. Dialogue plays an important role in the story, as it highlights the characters’ relationships. The narrative also contains symbols, which help readers understand the characters’ attitudes and feelings towards each other.

A full analysis of the short story can be found in the following pages.