Language

Similes

The language in “Neighbors” by Raymond Carver is minimalist in style, focusing on realistic, matter-of-fact descriptions of people, places, and events, rather than using a lot of imagery. However, a few similes stand out. These are used to emphasise the characters’ emotions in various situations.

First, Harriet Stone is described almost as a mother as she is showing off her new wall clock and “cradling the brass case in her arms and talking to it through the tissue paper as if it were an infant” (p. 87, ll. 21-23). This suggests that she is materialistic and attempts to gain status from her possessions. This goes well with the couple’s lifestyle which appears flashier than that of the Millers.

Secondly, when the Millers realise they have locked themselves out of the Stones...