Compare and Contrast

Compare and Contrast
The baker in “A Small Good Thing” by Raymond Carver caught my attention from the beginning of the story. He was abrupt with Ann, but it felt like there were reasons that would be explained soon why he was this way. The initial impression I got from him wasn’t likeable but as I got further into the story, there was a spark of compassion in this man that I could relate to. The bakers harassing tendencies and social isolation as a person are not traits I exhibit, where as his strong sense of compassion and emotion is where I can relate more to.
The harassing phone calls made to Ann and Howard were so vague it seemed as if the baker was an evil man trying to make their lives even more painful. Being a professional baker I would have thought the baker would present himself that way over the telephone. I am a straight to the point type of individual so if I were making telephone calls in the evening for my business, first thing is first, an introduction of who I am and why I am calling is a must. With any other typical telephone conversation there should also be some sort of goodbye or ending to the conversation. He displayed no professional telephone etiquette and that is something I make sure to do.
The baker was a childless, isolated man. He worked late hours because he was a baker and this kept him from being a part of the world socially. It seemed as if he didn’t know how to act around people anymore. He just wanted to focus on his work. I am a very high-spirited, happy person. I enjoy talking to people and connecting with them as well. When Ann was ordering her cake from the baker he seemed very abrupt. According to Ann, there was only the minimum exchange of words. Having a child myself, I would have joined with her on the excitement of the upcoming birthday party. I believe not having children and the hours of operation of his business turned him into this type of isolated, quiet person.
The bakers’ spill of emotion and apology at the end of the story is a spitting image of myself, on a daily basis! I find myself trying to sympathize, and empathize for that matter, with every person I come in contact with. I feel like people can learn things from getting to know other people and trying to relate to their life in some way. When the baker was opening up to Ann and Howard, telling them what it has been like to be childless all these years and working all through the evening hours, he is opening up to them and hoping to feel a connection to them.
The differences between the baker and I outweigh the similarities as far as handling phone calls with customers and the isolation the baker seems to put himself into on a daily basis. The baker locks himself away from the world to consume himself with work while I tend to gravitate towards people, always wanting to be with my family and friends. The one characteristic about the baker where I could completely relate to was his deep compassion towards the Weiss’. Talking and being close with people are things that make me feel more connected to people who I’ve either just met or have been a part of my life since the beginning.