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'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 that it is more than likely the child will also have a drinking problem. Raymond had a drinking problem, we find this out when he says: "at a time when I found myself, like my dad, having trouble with alcohol." Raymond took to alcohol to escape the problems of his life just like his father did. I think the alcohol made dealing with life easier for Raymond and his father.

I linked "My Father's Life" by Raymond Carver and "The Sutton Pie" Safe by Pinckney Benedict because of a few similarities. Both stories deal with a father and son learning different behaviors from each other. In each story the narrators are trying to explain their life with their father and how their fathers have shaped their lives.

od and later on in life he would strive to be his own person.

Cates father wants to do things with him. When Cates father tries to make him a snake skin belt he is trying to do the things that his own father did with him when he was young. I think Cates father learned from his own father and wants to share that with his own son. When Mrs. Hanson offered to buy the Sutton pie safe Cates father became angry. Cates sees how important this pie safe is to his dad because; his own parents gave it to him. In turn Cates tells his mother: "Didn't that belong to Granddad?" Cates father did not win, and the pie safe was sold. Cates feels

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1194
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)