Lack Of Communication In The Bath By Raymond Carver

While many short stories include the development of characters’ thoughts and a conclusion that ties loose ends together to help convey a theme, The Bath by Raymond Carver purposely excludes these elements to develop a theme. The Bath omits majority of the characters’ thoughts and feelings and does not have a conclusive ending, thus not communicating a clear understanding of the story to the reader and contributing to the theme of a lack of communication.
Throughout the story, very little of the character’s emotion is expressed to the reader. Most noticeable is the lack of information about the mother and father’s feelings as they await the recovery of their son. When the parents arrive at the hospital and are waiting for the boy’s condition,