Textual Analysis: Exploring Themes in Bicycles, Muscles, Cigarettes

This essay provides a detailed textual analysis of Raymond Carver's short story, 'Bicycles, Muscles, Cigarettes,' focusing on the themes of conflict, connection, and pride. The analysis begins by examining the internal conflict of the protagonist, Evan Hamilton, and his struggle with quitting smoking. It then explores the escalating conflict between characters, particularly the interactions between Evan and Mr. Berman. The essay also delves into the relationship between Evan and his son, Roger, and the development of their connection throughout the story. The author highlights Carver's skillful depiction of the father-son dynamic and the overall themes of disconnection and eventual understanding. References Carver, R. (2016). Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?. Random House. Hodge, M. (2014). Bicycles, muscles and cigarettes" and ESL: Raymond Carver in the classroom. Teaching American Literature, 7(1/2), 44-52. Keane, C. (2013). Flip-side of the American dream. Retrieved May 11, 2018from https://www.smh.com.au/education/flip-side-of-the-american-dream-20130516-2joqk.html

Running head: BICYCLES, MUSCLES, CIGARETTES – A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
BICYCLES, MUSCLES, CIGARETTES – A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1BICYCLES, MUSCLES, CIGARETTES – A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
Raymond Clevie Carver Jr. is one of the eminent writers of the genre of American poetry
and short stories. The famous writer was born in the mill town of Clatskanie in Oregon. The
author is majorly known for the various compositions that depict the brevity and the intensity of
the various compositions that have been penned down by the eminent author. The major works
of the author are undoubtedly the collection of short stories titled Will You Be Quiet, Please?,
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, Cathedral, Elephant and other such short
stories. The following essay deals with the textual analysis of one of the most celebrated short
stories of the writer, Bicycles, Muscles, Cigarettes, a part of the short story collection Will You
Be Quiet, Please? (Carver, 2016).
The short story in discussion, Bicycles, Muscles, Cigarettes, deals majorly with the
themes of conflict, connection and pride. The concerned short story opens with the Evan
Hamilton seated at the kitchen and in conversation with his wife, Ann who is joyous about the
fact that her husband has quitted the bad habit of smoking cigarettes. The wife is depicted to be
too elated with the fact that her husband has got rid of the dangerous habit of smoking and is
found to be greatly elated about her husband’s quitting of the bad habit and is found to be
exceptionally vocal about her happiness. However, the husband on the hand is still worried about
the fact that the smell of the cigarettes has still been existent in his hands even after he had taken
a shower. This has resulted in the conditions that depict to the reader the internal conflict that has
been going on in the psyche of the lead character, Evan Hamilton. The conflict majorly is due to
the fact that Evan has been finding it difficult to stay away from the smell of the cigarettes as it
has become a serious habit for the concerned person (Hodge, 2014). The author further uses the
stingy smell of cigarettes when the short story nears its end in order to highlight the other areas
of conflict that are profound within the given short story.

2BICYCLES, MUSCLES, CIGARETTES – A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
The author further explores the theme of conflict within the story during the instance
wherein the major lead character of the short story, Evan is found to be in conversation with the
brother of Gilbert and was informed of the wish of Gilbert’s mother to meet the parents of Roger,
the son of Evan and Ann. The apparently minor incident is found to get escalated to new heights
when the father finally reaches the residence of Gilbert. The author is observed to have explored
the theme of conflict prevalent within the short story during the scene that is played out at the
house of Gilbert (Keane, 2013). The major characters Evan and Gilbert’s mother are shown the
least of respect by Mr. Berman who is depicted to have taken Gary away from the public eye in
order to have a private talk thereby giving the concerned character a chance to portray his own
personal reflection of the story. The apparent distaste for Evan portrayed by Mr. Berman takes
the form of an actual physical conflict when Evan is pushed to a side by the latter on the porch
located outside the house of Gilbert. The push ultimately results in a fight among the two men
during which the latter is pinned down to the ground by Evan before he actually lets the person
up on his feet. The other major area through which the author attempts a depiction of the theme
of conflict within the short story is the various versions of the incident that had taken place with
the bicycle owned by Gilbert.
The author however puts forth a connection that is found to build within the father and
the son during the total incident that is put forth within the short story in discussion, Bicycles,
Muscles, Cigarettes. The author within the essay further portrays the disconnection that is
experienced by Evan with the various matters of the environment wherein the character is
portray to be settled. The author further startles the reader with the depiction of the fact that the
father is almost ignorant about the various habits and the social reaches that his son has been
maintaining within the society. The short story nears an end with the budding closeness and

3BICYCLES, MUSCLES, CIGARETTES – A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
mutual understanding between the father and the son that has been lacking during the opening of
the story.
Thus, from the above discussion, it might safely be pointed out that the short story by
Raymond Carver is truly a masterpiece and depicts the theme of the conflict within the story in
the most beautiful manner. The story depicts the relationship that is shared by the father son duo
in a very beautiful manner thereby adding a separate essence to the total environment that is
presented within the concerned story in discussion, Bicycles, Muscles, Cigarettes.

4BICYCLES, MUSCLES, CIGARETTES – A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
References
Carver, R. (2016). Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?. Random House.
Hodge, M. (2014). Bicycles, muscles and cigarettes" and ESL: Raymond Carver in the
classroom. Teaching American Literature, 7(1/2), 44-52.
Keane, C. (2013). Flip-side of the American dream. Retrieved May 11, 2018from
https://www.smh.com.au/education/flip-side-of-the-american-dream-20130516-
2joqk.html