Analysis

In this section, we will highlight the elements of our analysis of “Chef’s House” by Raymond Carver.

The story follows a linear plot structure, while including narrative techniques like a first-person narrator, backstory, and foreshadowing. The characters are relatable, and they include Edna and Wes, the protagonists, Chef, a secondary character, as well as Bobby and Cheryl, the main characters’ children, and Linda, Chef’s daughter.

The events take place somewhere north of Eureka, California, where Edna spends the summer with her estranged husband, Wes. The social setting explores themes such as addiction, family relationships, isolation, and personal identity.

The events are described by Edna as a first-person narrator, who also shares her thoughts and, sometimes, her feelings, with the reader. She is not always explicit about what happens in the story.

The story is told in a minimalistic style, with plenty of hints at the deeper meanings of the events. The language is simple, mixing narration with dialogue, which helps the reader understand more about the characters and the events.

You can read the full analysis of the short story in the following pages.