Analysis

An analysis of the short story “Collectors” by Raymond Carver shows us that the story follows a traditional chronological plot structure while including narrative techniques like foreshadowing. The story revolves around a man whose identity remains unclear and his brief encounter with a vacuum-cleaner salesman, Aubrey Bell, who might be a debt collector.

The characters include the narrator, a man who readers might assume is called Mr. Slater, and Aubrey Bell. Mrs. Slater and the local mailman are also mentioned.

The events take place in an unnamed town, in what appears to be Mr. Slater’s home. The social setting explores aspects related to identity, unemployment, poverty, and debt.

The events are described by the supposed Mr. Slater as a first-person narrator.  He shares his feelings and thoughts with the readers but does not reveal important information about himself.

The narrator uses descriptive language and a mix of dialogue and narration which adds deeper meaning to the story. The story rarely uses similes and metaphors, making the style generally straightforward. The use of symbols hints at the story’s deeper significance.

You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages.

Further help

For more advice about analyzing short stories, you can read our general guide to short story analysis.