What is the theme in What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver?

Marriage and divorce are also themes in this story. Carver's characters have often been divorced at least once and are often remarried. Carver himself first married at age eighteen, later divorced, and remarried shortly before his death from cancer. The characters in this story have experienced divorce and remarriage. Mel's first wife is Marjorie, with whom he has had children, and whom he now supports financially. Terri's first husband was Ed, an abusive man who eventually shot himself. Mel and Terri are now remarried to each other. Nick, who has also been divorced, is now married to Laura. The subject of divorce and remarriage is an important element of the story's focus on the theme of love. Mel first brings up the topic of Terri's abusive former husband, and the two of them debate whether or not Ed truly loved her.