In the beginning of the story we are told of the common names between Raymond and his father. I got the impression that he did not like having the same name as his father. I base this assumption that he doesn't like having the same name as his dad on when he said: "I hated the 'Junior' part". Another reason I say he didn't like having the same name as his dad is when he put this information in his story: "When my wife answered the phone, my mother blurted out, 'Raymond's dead!' For a moment, my wife thought my mother was telling her that I was dead. Then my mother made it clear which Raymond she was talking about." Why would Raymond include this in his story unless he disliked it. I think this is a way of inadvertently expressing his dislike for having the same name. Raymond was always confused with his father. I think he didn't want to be like his father. During his childho

Raymond and his father both moved a lot. Raymond's father moved around looking for work. Raymond's dad seemed like he had to be the provider but at the same time became bored quickly and that's why he moved so much. His constant moving is made evident by this statement: "But I think, in the main, that my dad had grown restless and simply wanted to try his luck elsewhere. Things had gotten a little to predictable for him in Yakima". Unlike Raymond's father he did not move around from boredom, but I think he moved around so he could support his family, this is made evident when he say's: "During those years I was trying to raise my own family and earn a living. But one thing and another, we found ourselves having to move a lot." Raymond and his father are alike in these ways.

Raymond's father was an alcoholic, and he was an alcoholic even before Raymond was born. His mother met Raymond's father coming out of a tavern. I think Raymond's drinking problem was inherited. Raymond would always see his father drunk, and he even tried some of his father's liquor when he was younger. Raymond's father's death was even caused by his drinking problem. When a child grows up in an environment like

Some common words found in the essay are:
Raymond Jr, Unlike Raymond's, October Raymond's, June Raymond, October October, raymond father, raymond's father, Raymond Carver, father died, father died raymond, father's death, move move, father strong, name dad, name father, father moved, died raymond,
Approximate Word count = 812
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)