Characters
The story “Why Don't You Dance?” by Raymond Carver features three active characters: the middle-aged man, the young man named Jack and the young woman. These characters are flat (they do not seem to change as a result of the action) and stereotypical (suggested by the fact that except for Jack, the other two are not named). Their characterization is short; their traits are not explored in depth but only briefly suggested.
The middle-aged man
The outer characterization of the older man in the story reveals that he is a “middle-aged” (p. 2, l. 35) smoker, that he used to have a wife (p. 1, ll. 11-13) and that he is having a yard sale.
Inner characterization
The man’s inner characterization stems from his attitude and actions, but also from the other characters’ opinion of him.
Initially, he comes across as intriguing and reflective; as he drinks and looks at his furniture up for the yard sale, he also thinks about his wife and their relationship:
His side, her side.
He considered this as he sipped the whiskey. (p. 1, ll. 12-13)
This may suggest that his wife died or left him, but also that they were not very close even during their relationship (each with his side).
His lack of surprise at no one stopping for the sale, indicates he is aware that selling all of one’s possessions may seem strange to others: “Now and then a car slowed and people stared. But no one stopped. It occurred to him that he wouldn't, either.” (p. 1, ll. 29-30)
The fact that he is drinking throughout the story and shops for alcohol might suggest that he has a drinking problem or simply that he is drowning his sorrows in alcohol:
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Jack
Jack is the only named character in the short story, the “boy” (p. 1, l. 31) who forms a couple with the young woman. Apart from the fact that he is young, his outer characterization informs us that he owns a car and an apartment together with the girl and that he is the one with the money in the couple: “This girl and this boy were furnishing a little apartment.” (p. 1, l. 31); “The boy was writing the check.” (p. 2, l. 5)
Inner characterization
His inner characterization presents him as less openly affectionate than the girl:
"Let's get up," he said.
"Kiss me," she said.
She closed her eyes. She held him.
He said, "I'll see if anybody's home."
But he just sat up and stayed where he was, making believe he was watching the television. (p. 1, ll. 15-20)
Also, he does not seem to care as much about bargaining as the girl. It is the girl and not him who always offers less than what the old man is asking:
"How about the TV?" the boy said.
" Twenty-five."
"Would you take fifteen?" the girl said. (p. 2, ll. 7-9)
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The young woman
The young woman in the short story is only called “the girl” (p. 1, l. 30) and all we find out about her outer characterization is that she forms a couple with the boy and they live together.
Inner characterization
The girl’s inner characterization presents her as curious, as she checks the furniture for sale in the absence of the owner, without much concern for manners:
The girl sat on the bed. She pushed off her shoes and lay back. She thought she could see a star.
"Come here, Jack. Try this bed. Bring one of those pillows," she said. (p. 1, ll. 1-3)
She is more open and more affectionate than the boy, asking him to kiss her in the bed at a yard sale without any concerns:
"Kiss me," she said.
She closed her eyes. She held him. (p. 1, ll. 16-17)
The girl also comes across as edgy and judgmental. She advises Jack to offer less for the furniture, makes assumptions about the owner and even negotiates the prices with him:
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