Raymond Carver writes "Popular Mechanics" in a specific style. First, it's written without quotes to portray the couples' inner thoughts; there was not a break between unfiltered thought and angry word. Also, the length of the story was short, contributing to the abrupt ambiguous ending. The baby seemed to stand for the disposition of the couple's relationship. The woman first picks up a photograph of the baby in the father's suitcase; therefore, the argument begins between the two and the dysfunction becomes clear. They refer to him as "this baby." With their child, it was like whoever had the stronger grip of the baby was in control of the situation at hand. When at the end both were physically pulling the baby, they physically fought out their dislike for each other through their love of the child.