The baker

Outer characterization

The baker is an important character in Raymond Carver's short story "A Small, Good Thing". He is an older man - who does not have children and does not appear to be married (p. 18, ll. 16-18). 

His outer characterization tells us that he has “a thick neck” (p. 1, l. 7), a “heavy waist” (p. 1, l. 10), and “coarse features” (p. 1, l. 20). The baker is also wearing a white apron (p. 1, ll. 9-10). His appearance is described differently at the end of the story, according to Ann’s perception at that moment. When she confronts him, his eyes are “small, mean-looking” (p. 17, l. 1), his neck is ” thick with fat” (p. 17, l. 2). This suggests that, because of her anger towards him, Ann starts seeing the baker as excessively unpleasant.

The man is not given a name, enhancing the impression that he mostly fulfills the role of a baker, which also seems to be his only source of satisfaction in life: “He had a necessary trade. He was a baker. He was glad he wasn’t a florist. It was better to be feeding people.” (p. 18, ll. 21-23). The fact that he claims he works “night and day in here, trying to make ends meet” (p. 16, ll. 40-41) suggests a poor economic background.

Inner characterization

The baker’s inner ...