The Shared Patio Analysis

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Veterans

Hahn had contemplated that veterans, by returning to civil life after their experiences in the military, have a lot to teach the society about the values of the culture in which we live. He also emphasized that the realities of war might also show us the ways to avoid unnecessary conflicts. The two selected stories, The Shared Patio and In Alaska, are appropriately in line with the assertions of Hahn. These two episodes vividly illustrate the lives of veterans who have joined their communities after war. The two stories revolve around the love life of veterans. In ‘the shared patio’, Vincent’s love for his wife is the undying one. Despite the temptations to fall in love with another woman, he cannot erase

In ‘In Alaska’, veteran Carl has been depicted as an understanding husband. He has been portrayed as a gentle man who understands his wife on various instances. When Carl was on his way to home one day, he bought himself new pair of shoes. In his mind, he had believed that the new acquisition would please his wife, Mary. He quickly rushed home in happiness. To his dismay, Mary never liked the shoe. This was her first comment on the shoes: “ I do not like the color” (pg 77). He was very disappointed. Later on, when the two were at a friend’s place, she continued to make a mockery of Carl’s shoes. “She leaned on the arm of the sofa and laughed until tears came” (pg 83). These instances are a clear evidence of how sadist the wife may have been. However, in all these instances veteran Carl never got angry with his wife. It is not strange to find a man disagreeing with his wife over such traits. Others may start a fight. Carl was not that kind of a man who is worked up easily. He took his time to digest the sentiments of the wife, and took them as light jokes. This is one way through which Carl showed his gentleness and understanding. There was a crucial moment that he had