As if mimicking their own personal experiences, the authors use various plots, characters, and literary devices to depict the lack of control that a no one in society has on their life. own lives in dark contrast to their desires. In doing so, the theme of control, with the help of desire and the monotony of life, explores the authors' views on humanity's attempt to control its environment. In the short story "Jerry and Molly and Sally", Raymond Carver uses the character of Al to describe and explain the frustrations and anxiety of not having control over one's life, of being stuck in a set of unfortunate circumstances and desperate to achieve a result. some kind of solution or rather anything that will give him back control of his own life; through the main character, Carver could also be interpreted as giving a lesson about life and control. In James Joyce's "Araby", the unnamed protagonist lives a life of absolute monotony, where he discovers that he has no control or the ability to change his life as he wishes. What exactly are the authors trying to say through the characters throwing themselves so desperately at something so beyond their reach? Many people take control of their own lives out of anxiety and despair about the magnitude of their lives. control over what they wanted. This is the case of Al in Raymond Carver's short story, "Jerry and Molly and Sally." Initially, Al's life didn't have the best foundation. Financially, his life was like porcelain. Keeping the family afloat depended on his job. Moreover, his job was to “lay off...when they should have been hiring” (Carver 122). The first source of his concern is the following. There was nothing he could do about this situation......... middle of paper...... the matter existed at the moment. For once in his life he could do something. He may have felt anxiety about his existence and, in his own mind, he could not end it. Al "couldn't tell him the truth" because it would make his life even more out of his control. (123). The only option is to proceed with the case provisionally. In reality, Al could end the affair. This would indeed cause conflict and more problems that he doesn't really want or need in his life. However, that's not really what's stopping him. Instead, Al feels “drugged” by this kind of lifestyle (126). Life has her seeking some sort of release akin to that of a drug addiction, which is exactly what Jill is. With an addiction, there is no way to end it all at once, especially for a user who is desperately clinging to it for a source of control or happiness that is denied to them..