Indledning
“They’re not your husband” is a short story by the writer, Raymond Carver, who was born in 1938 and later passed away in 1988.

Superficially, the story is about a man, who cannot help but be influenced by people's opinions about his wife.

More specifically two men in business suits at his wife’s workplace, secretly talking about her extra pounds. The husband won’t put the thought away, and tells her that he thinks, she should start dieting.

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Uddrag
The main part of the story is taking place at the coffee shop, where Doreen works. The coffeeshop is not being described in detail, other than it is open twenty-four hours a day. (P. 1, L, 2-3)

Nevertheless, it still forms the images of a classic, delipidated, dusty coffee shop, in my mind. The easily described details of costumers speaks for themself.

Two men in suits, but with untied ties and open collars, the man with his newspaper and his cigarette and a drunk father and husband, Earl, who leaved his kids home alone, late in the evening, to watch over his wife.

All of them looking and staring at the female waitress, when walking away after receiving their orders. And lastly the fact, that the place is open to the public twenty-four-seven.

All these factors do not fit with a nice, well cared place, but far from it. Another thing that I find quite interesting has something to do with the social circumstances in the story.