Music . a reductive style or school of modern music utilizing only simple sonorities, rhythms, and patterns, with minimal embellishment or orchestrational complexity, and characterized by protracted repetition of figurations, obsessive structural rigor, and often a pulsing, hypnotic effect.
minimalism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved March 12, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/minimalism
So yea, I guess I was a little off but going on my definition I can relate more to the "Neighbors" by Raymond Carver.
On page 137 it refers to how Bill and Arlene feel they have by passed by and how Bill attends his duties as a bookkeeper and Arlene to her secretarial duties. They seem to have have simple, plain jobs when comparing to their neighbors who are living the high life and traveling and always entertaining guests.
On page 138 it refers to how Bill drives the car to and from work and Arlene rides the bus. This makes me think of them as normal people who live simply and not outside their means.
Also on page 138, it reads how Bill went over to the Stones' apartment and looked through their cabinets and refrigerator, admiring the fine wine and cocktail glasses. This was fascinating to Bill because he would never acquire glasses and fine foods as these.
Bill and Arlene throughout this story became infatuated with the lives of the Stones. Even people today who have "normal" lives find themselves wanting to compare and trying to live up to others who are more successful and live wealthy lifestyles. They used every opportunity to explore the way the Stones' lived by combing through their apartment and checking out their goods. They admired and even tried on their clothing and basically invaded their private spaces. They even wished for them to never come home. This story leaves the door wide open because you don't know whether they will be able to get back into the apartment and you still don't know what was on those photos.
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