Carver further explores the theme of acceptance while Les is listening to his father telling him about Sally Wain, Les tells his father that ‘Anybody can make a mistake.’ This is significant because it highlights to the reader that Les is no longer carrying any animosity (not openly at least) towards his father. He appears to have accepted his father’s actions, though it is also significant that he addresses Sally as ‘that woman’. Les might have accepted his father‘s actions, but may not necessarily approve of them. The theme of regret is a little more difficult to appraise in the story as the reader is unsure as to whether Les’ father regrets that he had the affair, or he regrets that Sally is no longer with him. Either way it does seem that Les’ father is unable to move on or let go of his past. His actions in the past still appear to haunt him.

A Rose for Emily 

William Faulkner

• Emily appears to have a mental breakdown following the death of her father. She initially refuses to acknowledge his death, then retreats into her house with a mysterious illness. One day, Homer Barron and his crew of laborers come to town to build sidewalks. Emily takes an interest in Homer in spite of the disapproval of the townspeople, who argue that he is too-low class for Emily. Emily buys some arsenic, but refuses to explain why. Years later, when Emily dies, the townspeople find a man's skeleton in her bed. It's strongly implied that this skeleton is Homer Barron.

  And the Moon Be Still as Bright.

• https://vocaroo.com/i/s1Jiw3AZMOzE

• And the moon still be still as bright by Martian Chrinicles

• https://vocaroo.com/i/s0xjlYuooXFu
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• A woman has dreams of a rocket coming down from the sky, containing a light-skinned, blue-eyed creature named Nathaniel York. Her husband is weary, and when the rocket lands, he shoots the men. All over Mars, people begin to hum Earth tunes and have strange dreams. When a second rocket lands, the astronauts get out and explore. They say they are from Earth, but everyone thinks they are crazy people who have hallucinated their rocket. Meanwhile, on Earth, a crazed taxpayer tries to board the third rocket to Mars, but he is denied. When it lands, the astronauts find themselves in an ideal small American town. They meet their dead relatives and split up to have dinner with lost parents and brothers. Captain John Black goes to bed next to his long-lost brother, only to realize that it is probably all a Martian trap. His "brother" kills him before he can leave the room.
  Sacks by Raymond Carver
• We have the theme of infidelity, conflict, regret, separation, acceptance, moving on and letting go. A man called Les Palmer exploring one of the main themes of the story, the theme of separation. Les hasn’t seen his father since his parents divorced three years previously. It is also while Les is talking to his father in the airport lounge that the reader realises that Les’ father hasn’t let go of either his ex-wife or Sally Wain. In essence he hasn’t moved on or separated himself from either woman. What is also interesting is that Les’ father is unable to accept that his life now appears to be without any sort of direction. If anything Les’ father appears to be living his life in conflict.

• Carver further explores the theme of acceptance while Les is listening to his father telling him about Sally Wain, Les tells his father that ‘Anybody can make a mistake.’ This is significant because it highlights to the reader that Les is no longer carrying any animosity (not openly at least) towards his father. He appears to have accepted his father’s actions, though it is also significant that he addresses Sally as ‘that woman’. Les might have accepted his father‘s actions, but may not necessarily approve of them. The theme of regret is a little more difficult to appraise in the story as the reader is unsure as to whether Les’ father regrets that he had the affair, or he regrets that Sally is no longer with him. Either way it does seem that Les’ father is unable to move on or let go of his past. His actions in the past still appear to haunt him.

• The fact that Les and his father meet, not at his father’s home but rather in the airport lounge suggests a transience. This shortness or briefness in time also mirrors Les’ father’s time with Sally. The reader aware that the affair was cut short by Larry’s arrival back home. It may also be possible that Les prefers to see his father at the airport, rather than in his father’s home. Though he may have accepted his father’s actions he may remain uncomfortable with being close to him. Another interesting thing worth noting about the story is the conversation that Sally and Les’ father have about the bank robbery. Les’ father had told Sally that ‘They got away clean.’ This may be important as Carver may be using irony to highlight to the reader the fact that unlike the bank robbers, Les’ father has never been able to escape from his actions and his affair with Sally. If anything he seems disoriented in life, possibly due to the fact that he may feel guilty about the affair or because it cost him his marriage to Les’ mother. Though the reader never knows for sure how Les’ father feels.

  Though Les’ father may have physically escaped from Larry, he has never escaped mentally from his affair with Sally. As the reader is aware his actions led to his divorce (separation) from Les’ mother. Carver also uses symbolism in the story to further suggest irony. Les notices that his father is wearing glasses. He has never seen his father wear them before. This is ironic because glasses as the reader would be aware are used to help a person not only see but to see clearer. Despite his glasses, Les’ father is no nearer understanding his actions and why he might have had an affair with Sally Wain.