Free Essays on Popular Mechanics

Commentary on Popular Mechanics In Raymond Carver’s short story Popular Mechanics, the meticulous focus on details is immediately obvious to the reader, whether it be the integrated symbols, the characterization, or even the title. Raymond Carver’s short story comes together to leave its readers stunned, and left to make their own conclusions at the end. By focusing on Carver’s literary techniques, one will be able to see the depth of this short story. From the first short paragraph of Raymond Carver’s Popular Mechanics, the reader is left in suspense. Carver sets the mood of the story with the first sentence. The author states that the â€Å"snow was melting into dirty water†. Immediately the reader anticipates something bad is going to happen, or has already. A bleak atmosphere is created by snow, normally white and pure, melting away into dirtiness. The setting is dark. This allows the reader to anticipate that evil will come. Carver states that outside it was â€Å"getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too.† Once again the setting gives the reader a bleak feeling. When it is dark outside, humans go inside to avoid it. However, with the darkness engulfing the safety of the house as well, one must know that trouble is ahead. The narration of the story has much to do with the effect upon the readers. Carver is an objective narrator. Throughout the argument between the mother and father, the narrator does not take sides and does not state his own opinion. The neutrality of the narrator allows the readers to make their own judgment. This brings the reader into the story by allowing them to judge the parents and draw up their own verdict. Carver does not describe the characters, but allows the readers to gain knowledge of them by their actions. This type of characterization allows the reader to develop his or her own opinion on who the character really is. One can tell that the woman i... Free Essays on Popular Mechanics Free Essays on Popular Mechanics The adage goes â€Å"Say what you mean and mean what you say,† however, symbolism plays an important role in literature. In Raymond Carver’s â€Å"Popular Mechanics† details are used to symbolize the lives of the characters and the changes in their lives during and after the break up between the man and woman. Carver uses four details as symbols in the story: the dark and dreary details of the weather, the woman’s picking up the picture, the knocking down of the flower pot, and the pulling on the baby. The dark and dreary details of the weather both inside and out: â€Å"Early that day the weather turned† and â€Å"Cars slushed by on the street outside, where it was getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside, too† (238), represent the relationship between the man and the woman. The weather turning is symbolic of the change in their relationship from good to bad. The statement, â€Å"it was getting dark on the inside, too† (238 ), is representative of the feelings of the couple, which are changing from those of happiness and enjoyment to those of hatred and anger. While the weather symbolizes the relationship between the man and the woman, the woman’s picking up the picture of the baby is also very symbolic. In the story, the picture was on the bed, put there by the man. When the woman entered the bedroom, â€Å"She noticed the baby’s picture on the bed and picked it up,† then â€Å"stared at him (the man) before turning and going back to the living room† (239). He responds, â€Å"Bring that back,† but she said, â€Å"Just get your things and get out† (239). Her actions represent her strong desire to keep the baby. Her unwillingness to give the man the picture of the baby shows that she doesn’t want him to have custody of the baby as well as any contact with the baby. While the couple were fighting, â€Å"they knocked down a flowerpot† (239). This bre aking of the flower pot is very symbolic. The most obvious symbolism is the brea... Free Essays on Popular Mechanics Commentary on Popular Mechanics In Raymond Carver’s short story Popular Mechanics, the meticulous focus on details is immediately obvious to the reader, whether it be the integrated symbols, the characterization, or even the title. Raymond Carver’s short story comes together to leave its readers stunned, and left to make their own conclusions at the end. By focusing on Carver’s literary techniques, one will be able to see the depth of this short story. From the first short paragraph of Raymond Carver’s Popular Mechanics, the reader is left in suspense. Carver sets the mood of the story with the first sentence. The author states that the â€Å"snow was melting into dirty water†. Immediately the reader anticipates something bad is going to happen, or has already. A bleak atmosphere is created by snow, normally white and pure, melting away into dirtiness. The setting is dark. This allows the reader to anticipate that evil will come. Carver states that outside it was â€Å"getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too.† Once again the setting gives the reader a bleak feeling. When it is dark outside, humans go inside to avoid it. However, with the darkness engulfing the safety of the house as well, one must know that trouble is ahead. The narration of the story has much to do with the effect upon the readers. Carver is an objective narrator. Throughout the argument between the mother and father, the narrator does not take sides and does not state his own opinion. The neutrality of the narrator allows the readers to make their own judgment. This brings the reader into the story by allowing them to judge the parents and draw up their own verdict. Carver does not describe the characters, but allows the readers to gain knowledge of them by their actions. This type of characterization allows the reader to develop his or her own opinion on who the character really is. One can tell that the woman i...

Make Your Own Crystal Geode

Make Your Own Crystal Geode Natural geodes are hollow rock formations that contain deposits of crystals. Assuming you dont have a geological timeframe to obtain a geode and dont want to buy a geode kit, its easy to make your own crystal geode using alum, food coloring, and either plaster of Paris or an eggshell. Crystal Geode Materials Alum (found with spices in the grocery store)Hot waterFood coloring (optional)Plaster of Paris (found in hobby shops) or an eggshell Prepare the Geode There are a couple of ways you can go here. You can crack open an egg and use the rinsed shell as a base for your geode or you can prepare a plaster of Paris rock: First, you need a rounded shape in which you can mold your hollow rock. The bottom of one of the depressions in a foam egg carton works great. Another option is to set a piece of plastic wrap inside of a coffee cup or paper cup.Mix a small amount of water in with some plaster of Paris to make a thick paste. If you happen to have a couple of seed crystals of alum, you can stir them into the plaster mixture. Seed crystals can be used to provide nucleation sites for the crystals, which can produce a more natural-looking geode.Press the plaster of Paris against the sides and bottom of the depression to make a bowl shape. Use plastic wrap if the container is rigid, so that its easier to remove the plaster.Allow about 30 minutes for the plaster to set up, then remove it from the mold and set it aside to finish drying. If you used plastic wrap, peel it off after you pull the plaster geode out of the container. Grow Crystals Pour about a half cup of hot tap water into a cup.Stir in alum until it stops dissolving. This occurs when a little alum powder starts to accumulate at the bottom of the cup.Add food coloring, if desired. Food coloring does not color the crystals, but it does color the eggshell or plaster, which causes the crystals to appear colored.Set your eggshell or plaster geode inside a cup or bowl. You are aiming for a container that is a size such that the alum solution will just cover the top of the geode.Pour the alum solution into the geode, allowing it to overflow into the surrounding container and eventually cover the geode. Avoid pouring in any undissolved alum.Set the geode in a location where it wont be disturbed. Allow a few days for the crystals to grow.When you are pleased with the appearance of your geode, remove it from the solution and allow it to dry. You can pour the solution down the drain. The alum is essentially a pickling spice, so while it isnt exactly good for you to eat , it isnt toxic either. Keep your geode beautiful by protecting it from high humidity and dust. You can store it wrapped in a paper towel or tissue paper or inside of a display case.