The Representation of Food and Aesthetic Vision in Raymond Carver’s Short Stories

This paper examines how food functions as a symbol in the fiction of Raymond Carver. Carver’s writing is characterized by imbuing ordinary objects with profound symbolic meaning, and food is a frequent subject in his stories that exemplifies this characteristic. The paper shows that in his works, food becomes a vehicle for exploring profound themes such as communication, intimacy, and socioeconomic status. This paper examines the symbolism of food and its aesthetic vision in Carver’s short stories. I points out that Carver’s use of food often reflects the characters’ inner lives, with moments of shared meals representing fleeting attempts at connection and understanding. These moments are often tinged with a sense of impennanence, mirroring the characters’ transient successes in overcoming their emotional and existential crises. Carver’s minimalist approach, combined with his keen observational skills, allows him to infuse ordinary elements with profound meaning. Food, in his stories, becomes a lens through which readers can explore the subtleties of human experience, making it an essential aspect of his literary legacy. Through the symbolism of food, Carver not only portrays the mundane realities of everyday life but also delves into the universal themes of connection, longing, and the search for meaning in a complex world. (Dongguk University)