Perspectives

Literary perspectives

Published in 1975, the short story “Collectors” by Raymond Carver fits the literary movement called dirty realism, which is a sub-category of realism. 

Realist works can be recognized through themes, context, and narrative techniques. “Collectors” explores the themes of identity and paralysis, topics that are sometimes explored by realist writers. The short story also plays with the theme of identity meaning that readers can never be quite certain who the characters really are. 

In addition to that, the short story has traits specific to dirty realism, since it presents aspects of ordinary life (such as being in debt) and focuses on an unemployed character, whose situation leads to his lack of control and state of paralysis.

The straightforward language is also a narrative technique found in the literary movement call...