Fiction authors utilize numerous tools and methods to catch readers’ attention. They can choose among different tones, use few or many characters, discuss real or imaginary settings, and others. However, such authors are only expected to preserve a single requirement that relates to ensuring that readers can absorb the intended message. Thus, this essay will demonstrate that Raymond Carver’s “Neighbors” and Junot Diaz’s “The Money” have many differences, but they are similar because the audience successfully identifies the writers’ intentions.
The first difference between the two writing pieces becomes evident after reading their first sentences. It refers to the fact that Carver introduces a third-person narration about Bill and Arlene Miller and their neighbors, while Diaz presents a first-person story about a life event from his childhood. These various approaches help the authors establish different connections with the audience. On the one hand, Carver only explains his characters’ actions and thoughts. That is why the readers are considered outside observers of the story. On the other hand, Diaz describes his own thoughts, feelings, and actions. This way of storytelling allows the readers to believe that they are engaged in a personal conversation with the author.
The different approaches above inevitably lead to diverse tones used by the writers. Thus, Carver remains straightforward and unbiased throughout the whole story. For example, he does not offer any evaluation of the fact that Bill initiates using his neighbors’ bed to satisfy his sex drive (“Neighbors” 9). On the contrary, “The Money” is full of subjective vocabulary, personal thoughts, and figurative language. Examples of this claim can be found in the short story when the author describes a crime. Diaz is emotional and mentions that his parents’ room “had been tornado tossed” (par. 3). It denotes that the two writers’ tones are significantly different.
Finally, the stories under analysis are dissimilar according to the themes that they discuss. Carver offers his vision of freedom, escape, and control over one’s life. In particular, the writer mentions that some people require specific conditions to feel free and escape from their ordinary life. It becomes evident from the case that the main characters tried to find many reasons to spend more time in their neighbors’ homes because they feel satisfied there. Simultaneously, “The Money” tells a story about financial struggles, parent-child relationships, justice, and guilt. In particular, Diaz describes that he decided to break into the thieves’ house to return his family’s money. However, this restoration of justice made him experience guilt, and the author gave money to his mother (Diaz par. 16). The writer also describes his disappointment because the mother did not appreciate this action (Diaz par. 16). The information above has introduced some differences between the writing pieces, while the following section will comment on a few similarities.
The first shared characteristic relates to a simple plot and organization of the stories. The two authors present their events chronologically, which makes it easy for the audience to understand the cause-and-effect relationships within the works. It is possible to divide the literary works into introduction, main body, climax, and conclusion. Readers can also appreciate the fact that there are not many characters in the stories. This fact denotes that all attention can be drawn to the heroes and their actions, emotions, and feelings. Furthermore, the two authors did not use any specialized words, complex sentences, and long paragraphs. Instead of it, they presented their thoughts in a simple manner to ensure that the general public will not have any problems reading the writing pieces.
The second similarity relates to the fact that both Carver and Diaz are successful in delivering their messages to their readers. The rationale behind this suggestion comes from the parallels that have been discussed above. All these aspects contribute to the fact that the authors have designed their stories to make people decode their original intentions correctly. Thus, it is evident that Carver’s lesson is that people should live their own lives without having any attempts to imitate others. The writer explains that this strategy can lead to adverse consequences. In turn, Diaz demonstrates that money is a significant element in people’s lives and that individuals can take wrong actions because of it. Furthermore, the author indicates that it is a frequent case when expectations are not matched, leading to dissatisfaction.
In conclusion, the essay has compared two short stories, including “Neighbors” by Raymond Carver and “The Money” by Junot Diaz. Both differences and similarities between the writing pieces have been identified and described. Even though the literary works vary according to narration types, tones, and themes discussed, they resemble each other because the authors have managed to make their messages clear and evident. This claim refers to the fact that a simple plot, chronologically presented events, understandable vocabulary, and explicit stories structures effectively deliver the messages. That is why the readers can easily identify that Carver’s story is about freedom, while Diaz comments on money and life expectations.
Works Cited
“Neighbors.” Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? Raymond Carver, McGraw-Hill, 1976, pp. 7-14.
Diaz, Junot. “The Money.” Junot Diaz, 2012, Web.