Language

Style of writing

The language in Raymond Carver’s short story “Gazebo” is informal. The text uses contractions for both the narration and the dialogue. The informality in the narration is consistent with Duane’s inner voice and points to his way of thinking.

Because it is a work of dirty realism, dialogue is an important aspect of the story. The dialogue reflects real life conversations. The sentences are short and the characters use profanity: 

‘Fix me another pop, you son of a bitch,’ she goes. She goes, ‘Fuck those horn-blowers. Let them do their dirt in the Travelodge. Is that where your cleaning woman cleans now? Fix me another, you son of a bitch!’

The dialogue reflects the characters’ background, but also their state of mind. Although the story does not offer...