'Coffee' by Richard Brautigan

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Sometimes life is merely a matter of coffee and whatever intimacy a cup of coffee
affords. I once read something about coffee. The thing said that coffee is good for you;
it stimulates all the organs.

I thought at first this was a strange way to put it, and not altogether pleasant, but
as time goes by I have found out that it makes sense in its own limited way. I'll tell you
what I mean.

Yesterday morning I went over to see a girl. I like her. Whatever we had going for us
is gone now. She does not care for me. I blew it and wish I hadn't.

I rang the door bell and waited on the stairs. I could hear her moving around upstairs.
The way she moved I could tell that she was getting up. I had awakened her.

Then she came down the stairs. I could feel her approach in my stomach. Every step she
took stirred my feelings and lead indirectly to her opening the door. She saw me and it
did not please her.

Once upon a time it pleased her very much, last week. I wonder where it went,
pretending to be naive.

"I feel strange now," she said. "I don't want to talk."

"I want a cup of coffee," I said, because it was the last thing in the world
that I wanted. I said it in such a way that it sounded as if I were reading her a telegram
from somebody else, a person who really wanted a cup of coffee, who cared about nothing
else.

"All right," she said.

I followed her up the stairs. It was ridiculous. She had just put some clothes on. They
had not quite adjusted themselves to her body. I could tell you about her ass. We went
into the kitchen.

She took a jar of instant coffee off the shelf and put it on the table. She placed a
cup next to it, and a spoon. I looked at them. She put a pan full of water on the stove
and turned the gas on under it.

All this time she did not say a word. Her clothes adjusted themselves to her body. I
won't. She left the kitchen.

Then she went down the stairs and outside to see if she had any mail. I didn't remember
seeing any. She came back up the stairs and went into another room. She closed the door
after her. I looked at the pan full of water on the stove.

I knew that it would take a year before the water started to boil. It was now October
and there was too much water in the pan. That was the problem. I threw half of the water
into the sink.

The water would boil faster now. It would take only six months. The house was quiet.

I looked out the back porch. There were sacks of garbage there. I stared at the garbage
and tried to figure out what she had been eating lately by studying the containers and
peelings and stuff. I couldn't tell a thing.

It was now March. The water started to boil. I was pleased by this.

I looked at the table. There was the jar of instant coffee, the empty cup and the spoon
all laid out like a funeral service. These are the things that you need to make a cup of
coffee.

When I left the house ten minutes later, the cup of coffee safely inside me like a
grave, I said, "Thank you for the cup of coffee."

"You're welcome," she said. Her voice came from behind a closed door. Her
voice sounded like another telegram. It was really time for me to leave.

I spent the rest of the day not making coffee. It was a comfort. And evening came, I
had dinner in a restaurant and went to a bar. I had some drinks and talked to some people.

We were bar people and said bar things. None of them remembered, and the bar closed. It
was two o'clock in the morning. I had to go outside. It was foggy and cold in San
Francisco. I wondered about the fog and felt very human and exposed.

I decided to go visit another girl. We had not been friends for over a year. Once we
were very close. I wondered what she was thinking about now.

I went to her house. She didn't have a door bell. That was a small victory. One must
keep track of all the small victories. I do, anyway.

She answered the door. She was holding a robe in front of her. She didn't believe that
she was seeing me. "What do you want?" she said, believing now that she was
seeing me. I walked right into the house.

She turned and closed the door in such a way that I could see her profile. She had not
bothered to wrap the robe completely around herself. She was just holding the robe in
front of herself.

I could see an unbroken line of body running from her head to her feet. It looked kind
of strange. Perhaps because it was so late at night.

"What do you want?" she said.

"I want a cup of coffee," I said. What a funny thing to say, to say again for
a cup of coffee was not what I really wanted.

She looked at me and wheeled slightly on the profile. She was not pleased to see me.
Let the AMA tell us that time heals. I looked at the unbroken line of her body.

"Why don't you have a cup of coffee with me?" I said. "I feel like
talking to you. We haven't talked for a long time."

She looked at me and wheeled slightly on the profile. I stared at the unbroken line of
her body. This was not good.

"It's too late," she said. "I have to get up in the morning. If you want
a cup of coffee, there's instant in the kitchen. I have to go to bed."

The kitchen light was on. I looked down the hall into the kitchen. I didn't feel like
going into the kitchen and having another cup of coffee by myself. I didn't feel like
going to anybody else's house and asking them for a cup of coffee.

I realized that the day had been committed to a very strange pilgrimage, and I had not
planned it that way. At least the jar of instant coffee was not on the table, beside an
empty white cup and a spoon.

They say in the spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love. Perhaps if he has
enough time left over, his fancy can even make room for a cup of coffee.

-from Revenge of the Lawn

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Cup of Coffee and a Slice of Life: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Richard Brautigan's "Coffee"

Are you a coffee person or a tea person? For those who belong to the former category, sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning is nothing short of a ritual. It's the potion that brings life to our sleepy selves, powers up our neurons, and makes us ready to take on the day. But have you ever thought about the stories that a cup of coffee could tell? Richard Brautigan, the American author and poet, did. In his short story "Coffee," Brautigan explores the relationship between coffee and the people who consume it, and how a simple cup of coffee can become a medium for communication, connection, and even comfort.

The Plot and the Characters

"Coffee" is a story that takes place in a small café in San Francisco. The protagonist, who remains unnamed, is a writer who frequents the café to work on his stories. The café, which is also unnamed, is run by a woman who is described as "heavyset and kind." The café is a place where people come to have a cup of coffee, read the newspaper, and engage in light conversation. The protagonist observes the people in the café - the old man who reads the newspaper, the woman who drinks coffee and eats a croissant, the young couple who talk about their plans for the future, and the man who sits at the counter and eats pie. All of them seem to have a connection with the coffee that they drink - it's almost like a silent bond that they share with each other.

One day, the protagonist notices a new customer in the café - a young woman who sits alone and drinks coffee. She is described as "very pretty" with "long reddish-brown hair." The protagonist is immediately drawn to her and tries to start a conversation with her. He asks her about the book she's reading, and they end up talking about books, writing, and their lives. The conversation is easy and natural, and it seems like they have a connection. The protagonist even imagines that they could become friends and drink coffee together every day. But then, the woman finishes her coffee and leaves, and the protagonist is left alone in the café once again.

Themes and Motifs

"Coffee" is a story that explores several themes and motifs that are central to Brautigan's writing. One of the most prominent themes in the story is the idea of connection. Throughout the story, we see how coffee becomes a medium for people to connect with each other. The people in the café may not know each other's names or life stories, but they share a common bond through the coffee that they drink. The protagonist's interaction with the young woman is also based on this idea of connection - they bond over their love for books and writing, and for a moment, they become friends.

Another important theme in the story is the idea of comfort. The café is described as a cozy and welcoming place, where people can come to relax and feel at home. The coffee that they drink becomes a source of comfort - something that they can rely on to make them feel better. When the protagonist is feeling down about his writing, he goes to the café and orders a cup of coffee. The warmth and familiarity of the café make him feel better, and he's able to continue his work.

The motif of writing is also significant in the story. The protagonist is a writer who goes to the café to work on his stories. He observes the people in the café and imagines their stories, and later incorporates them into his own writing. The young woman that he meets in the café also inspires him to write - he's intrigued by her and wants to know more about her. Writing becomes a way for the protagonist to connect with the world around him, and to make sense of his own experiences.

Literary Analysis

"Coffee" is a story that is deceptively simple in its structure and language, but there is a lot to unpack in terms of literary analysis. Brautigan's prose is spare and economical, but he's able to convey a lot of meaning through his choice of words and imagery. For example, the café is described as a "small, comfortable place," which immediately creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity. The woman who runs the café is described as "heavyset and kind," which emphasizes her warmth and generosity.

The use of repetition is also significant in the story. The phrase "a cup of coffee" is repeated several times throughout the story, which emphasizes the importance of coffee in the lives of the characters. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and structure in the story, which helps to move the narrative forward.

The symbolism of coffee is also worth exploring. Coffee is a stimulant that is known for its ability to wake people up and give them energy. In "Coffee," coffee becomes a symbol for connection, comfort, and inspiration. It's a way for people to wake up to the world around them, and to connect with each other on a deeper level.

Interpretation and Conclusion

So, what does "Coffee" mean? What is Brautigan trying to say with this story? At its core, "Coffee" is a story about human connection. It's about how people can find common ground through a simple act like drinking coffee. It's about how we can be inspired by the people around us, and how we can use our experiences to create something new. It's a reminder that even in a world that can feel isolating and disconnected, there are still opportunities for connection, comfort, and inspiration.

In conclusion, "Coffee" is a beautifully written story that captures the essence of what it means to be human. Brautigan's prose is spare but powerful, and his use of imagery and symbolism creates a rich and evocative world. "Coffee" is a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the magic of a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning, and who has longed for connection and inspiration in their own lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Coffee: A Tale of Love, Loss, and the Power of Memories

Richard Brautigan's short story "Coffee" is a poignant and bittersweet tale of a man's journey to reconnect with his past and find closure in the present. Through vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and a deep understanding of human emotions, Brautigan weaves a tale that is both universal and deeply personal, exploring themes of love, loss, and the power of memories.

The story begins with the narrator, a middle-aged man, walking into a coffee shop in San Francisco. As he sips his coffee, he notices a young woman sitting at a nearby table, reading a book. Something about her reminds him of a woman he knew many years ago, a woman he loved and lost. He strikes up a conversation with her, hoping to find some connection to his past.

As the conversation progresses, the narrator begins to reminisce about his past relationship with the woman he loved. He remembers the small moments of tenderness and intimacy they shared, the way she would laugh at his jokes, the way she would hold his hand. He also remembers the painful moments of their breakup, the arguments and misunderstandings that drove them apart.

Through these memories, Brautigan explores the complex nature of love and relationships. He shows how love can be both beautiful and painful, how it can bring joy and sorrow in equal measure. He also shows how memories can be both a source of comfort and a source of pain, how they can help us remember the good times and also remind us of the things we have lost.

As the conversation with the young woman comes to an end, the narrator realizes that he cannot recapture the past. He cannot go back to the woman he loved, nor can he relive the moments they shared. But he also realizes that he doesn't need to. The memories he has are enough, and they will always be a part of him.

This realization is a powerful one, and it speaks to the larger themes of the story. Brautigan shows us that while we cannot change the past, we can learn from it and use it to shape our present and future. He also shows us that memories are a powerful force, one that can help us find closure and move on from the things that haunt us.

The language and imagery in "Coffee" are also worth noting. Brautigan's prose is lyrical and poetic, with a dreamlike quality that adds to the story's emotional impact. He uses vivid descriptions of the coffee shop, the city, and the people in it to create a sense of place and atmosphere. He also uses metaphor and symbolism to convey deeper meanings, such as the coffee cup that represents the narrator's memories and the young woman who represents the possibility of a new connection.

Overall, "Coffee" is a beautiful and moving story that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It reminds us that love and loss are a part of life, but that memories can help us find meaning and closure. It also reminds us that the past is always with us, but that we have the power to shape our present and future. As the narrator says at the end of the story, "I drank my coffee and remembered everything." And in that moment, we too remember everything, and we are reminded of the power of stories to touch our hearts and souls.

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