Powerlessness In A Small, Good Thing By Raymond Carver

In a “Small, Good Thing” written by Raymond Carver, a family is faced with a horrific tragedy. The secondary character, the baker, is also faced with loneliness. Both the Weiss family and the baker feel that they are in helpless situations. We see in today’s society many people are facing the same feeling of helplessness. However, when dealing with life changing ordeals, ae we helpless or powerless?

In our society these two words mean the same thing. However, according to the article “English Language and Usage” they are completely different. The term helpless means having no ability to influence one’s circumstance. This refers to the Weiss family in “A Small, Good Thing.” To be powerless, implies that a person does indeed have power over outcome, but in a particular circumstance has lost that power. This refers to the baker. We believe that to be powerless is to not have any control. In fact, we actually have the power to change the outcome but usually decided not to or that we cannot. How often do we as a society say we are helpless when in fact we are just powerless?

Yes, we are faced in many circumstances where life throws us completely helpless. A mother having a miscarriage would give an

Being alone, gives the feeling of insecure, anxious and even depression. The baker is experiencing these feelings. We learned that the baker does not have family and seems he is the only one working in the bakery. In the end of the story we see how these two situation get resolved. The Weiss family goes to the bakery with an emotional upset feeling tours him. But the unthinkable happens, the baker is able to help the Weiss family to get through their helpless situation with the help of communication. Also the Weiss family helps the baker get through his powerless situation and also his