Setting

Time and physical setting

The short story “A Small, Good Thing” by Raymond Carver was published in 1983. The use of the term “Negro” (p. 9, l. 12) in a seemingly non-derogatory way in reference to the African-American family that Ann meets in the hospital suggests that the action probably happens before the 1960s, as in previous decades this was a socially accepted term. However, since Scotty’s cake is decorated with “a spaceship and launching pad” (p.1, l. 3), this might place the action in the 1960s or later, since the 60’s saw an increased interest in space. In this case, the use of the term “Negro” could indicate ignorance or racism on the part of Ann, whose perspective the narrator seems to be sharing. One of the members of the African-American family – a young girl – is also smoking inside the hospital, in the waiting room (p. 9, ll. 11-16). In the US, smoking in hospitals was accepted as late as the 1980s. A reference to Ann’s clothes suggests that the action takes place during the cold season: “She put on clean underwear, wool slacks, and a sweater.” (p. 11, ll. 24-25)

The story takes place over the course of several days in different locations. The story begins on a Saturday afternoon (p. 1, l. 1), at the bakery where Ann orders the cake for Scotty’s eighth birthday, which is on Monday (p. 1, l. ...