What We Talk About When We Talk About Love

by

Raymond Carver

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on What We Talk About When We Talk About Love makes teaching easy.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love Characters

Mel McGinnis

Mel is Terri’s husband and Nick and Laura’s friend. He’s a tall, 45-year-old man with curly hair. The story takes place in Mel and Terri’s kitchen in Albuquerque, where the two couples are… read analysis of Mel McGinnis

Terri

Terri is Mel’s wife and Nick and Laura’s friend. She’s a thin, attractive woman with long brown hair and dark eyes. As the group of four discusses love, Terri brings up her former… read analysis of Terri

Nick

Nick is the narrator of the story; he’s Laura’s husband and Mel and Terri’s friend. Nick is 38, and though he doesn’t give away much about himself, it’s implied that he’s a lawyer… read analysis of Nick

Laura

Laura is Nick’s wife and Mel and Terri’s friend. She’s a 35-year-old legal secretary who met Nick through work. Laura, like Mel and Terri, believes that she knows what love is, though none… read analysis of Laura

Ed (Terri’s ex-boyfriend)

Terri tells Nick and Laura anecdotes about her ex-boyfriend, Ed, whom she lived with before she dated Mel. Ed used to physically abuse Terri while telling her that he loved her, which led to… read analysis of Ed (Terri’s ex-boyfriend)
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Marjorie (Mel’s ex-wife)

Mel was married to Marjorie before his relationship with Terri. Marjorie currently lives with her boyfriend and her and Mel’s children, all of whom Mel supports through his alimony and child support payments. Although… read analysis of Marjorie (Mel’s ex-wife)