"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver: Puntuation

       In Raymond Carver's short story "Popular Mechanics,"  he uses very little punctuation throughout the short story.  This moves the story along.  It also is less formal and less personal.  When the husband and wife are fighting, between there dialogue there are no quotation marks. "Bring that back, he said.  Just get your things and get out, she said," (Carver, 1).  By leaving out quotation marks the story is more fluid and there is no stop and go motion in the dialogue.  This creates a fast pace story and enables the reader to read Carver's story more quickly.  The lack of quotations also creates a more dramatic and intense tone.  There is no stopping between speakers.  This also creates a chaotic atmosphere because the reader is not always sure who is speaking.