Wes

Wes is one of the main characters of the story “Chef’s House” by Raymond Carver. He is a developing character, as his attitude and behavior change at the end of the stor…

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Outer characterization

There are few details in the story about his outer characterization. At one point, the narrator describes his physical appearance: “He was wearing his gloves and a canvas hat.” (ll. 61-62)

Other details are used mostly in a symbolic way, which contribute to his inner characterization by giving us a deeper knowledge about his feelings at various points in the story. …

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Inner characterization

Wes’s inner characterization is constructed from the narrator’s point of view, as she recollects dialogue, his behavior, and his actions from the summer they spend together.

Wes’s character is also constructed in contrast with Chef’s character. Chef is a loving father and a man who made progress with his recovery from alcoholism. Wes struggles with his addiction and feels unloved by his children, as they are not interested in having a relationship with him. Furthermore, it seems that Wes makes no attempts to reconcile with them. By the end of the story, it becomes clear that Wes is tempted to drink again and the thought of his children does not help him continue his recovery. Although close to Chef, Wes is unable to consider him a role-model, which could have helped him remain sober.

From the beginning of the story, we find out he calls Edna multiple times to ask her to join him at Chef’s House. He is persistent: “But he wouldn’t take no for an answer” (ll. 4-5) and persuasive, telling Edna he is “on the wagon” (l. 4) and that t…