Characters Who Develop – and Don't
             The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the short stories "Love in L. A." by Dagoberto Gilb and "Carnal Knowledge" by T. Coraghessan Boyle. Specifically it will discuss the development of the two main characters in these short stories, and how their development differs. Jake in "Love in L.A." is a static character with no development, while the protagonist in "Carnal Knowledge," named Jim, does develop and grow from his development. "Love in L.A." is a simple story of Jake, a con man and loser who begins and ends the story lying to himself and everyone around him. He meets a girl through a car accident, and can only think about himself while he lies his way through the experience. He will never change, or amount to anything, and that is the point of the story. The protagonist in "Carnal Knowledge" does change. He meets a girl totally different from himself, and changes to please her, but finds that is not enough. After he turns vegetarian, helps her picket for animal rights, and follows her to free turkeys before Thanksgiving, she leaves him for another boyfriend. He finds that changing for someone else leaves him empty and hurt, and that he has to follow his own heart, not someone else's.
             In most stories, characters change or learn from their mistakes. Jake does not. He is a one-dimensional character who only thinks of himself. Early in the story it is clear he is lazy and unmotivated. He thinks to himself, "H certainly didn't do that every day of his life, and he'd assure anyone who'd ask that he never would either" (Gilb 793). He does not work, he is a petty thief, and he lies his way through any problems in life. He has no purpose, and that is clear from this story. On the other hand, the protagonist in "Carnal Knowledge" is too responsible. He has a job, feels guilty about calling in sick, and follows all the "rules" of life, very unlike Jake,...