So Much Water So Close to Home

How does the concept of doubt function within the story? Does the author intend for the reader to share Claire’s doubt about his culpability in the girl’s death? Why or why not? How does The Pervasiveness Of Doubt And Deception link to the broader discussion of Gender Norms’ Harmful Effects On Women?

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis Prompt invites students to recontextualize the Personal Connection Prompt within the context of Carver’s story. As the story is written from the first-person perspective, the reader never learns for sure whether Claire’s doubt is justified; instead, it only intensifies the story’s tense mood, as the audience rides Claire’s emotional waves with her. The ambiguity of the ending suggests that her life will continue as normal, despite The Pervasiveness Of Doubt And Deception.

Differentiation Suggestion: For an exercise that focuses on oral presentation and development of argumentation, this Prompt may be restructured to an in-class debate, where students have the opportunity to argue either for or against the following assertion: Carver wants the reader to share Claire’s doubt in her husband. This resource from Harvard will help you facilitate a debate in your classroom.