Howard Weiss

Outer characterization

Howard Weiss is one of the most important characters in the short story "A Small, Good Thing" by Raymond Carver. He is Ann’s husband and Scotty’s father. His outer characterization suggests his tiredness: “His eyes were bloodshot and small, as if he'd been drinking for a long time. His clothes were rumpled. His beard had come out again.” (p. 8, ll. 33-34). Howard is an educated man and a successful professional:

Until now, his life had gone smoothly and to his satisfaction--college, marriage, another year of college for the advanced degree in business, a junior partnership in an investment firm. Fatherhood. He was happy, and so far, lucky--he knew that. (p. 2, ll. 27-30)

Inner characterization

Howard’s inner characterization suggests that he is happy with his life. However, he is aware that life can be unpredictable: “he had kept away from any real harm, from those forces he knew existed and that could cripple or bring down a man if the luck went bad, if things suddenly turned.” (p. 2, ll. 32-34). He is also ...