Carver

"In this manner, the issue was decided." 

Honestly, I have no idea what to think about this story.  At first, I just assumed the baby literally ripped in half due to the game of tug of war going on.  Then, people at school told me that idea was silly.  I am still not firmly convinced that this is not true.  Here are some details that make me wonder:

1. The father "pulled back very hard" on the baby which is not the way a person should treat a baby.
2. In the introductory material, the text states that the short story ends with :a startling conclusion."  What is more startling than a baby ripping in half?
3. Apparently this story alludes to the Biblical story of Solomon.  In this story, God presents a solution to two woman who are fighting over which mother the child belonged to.  In this story, God tells the women to rip the baby in half; however, this does not actually occur. 

 Even though this reasoning may not be the most logical, I think it is certainly possible that the baby did not actually survive the splitting couple's battle.  That seems startling enough for me!