Structure

The structure of the short story “Monster under the Bed” by Lezanne Clannachan follows the main character, Eddie, during a single event in his life, the day he goes to London to buy cakes for his mother and when he meets a woman called Angie on the train platform.

These external events serve as a frame to illustrate the conflicts that Eddie has with himself and with others because his mother suffers from agoraphobia (mainly fear of going outside and being in what the person perceives to be dangerous situations) and possibly depression (she doesn't take care of herself).

The story is structured using traditional plot elements (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution) which are mainly used for the purpose of enhancing the internal and external conflicts.

Title

The title of the short story hints at the story’s main theme—irrational fear. A “monster under the bed” is usually a fictitious creature that children make up when they are afraid of what they cannot see. However, the story is not about a child’s fear, but about a mother’s fear of going outside.

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Beginning

The short story begins in media res (in the middle of events) with an exposition which introduces readers to the main character, Eddie, and to the setting, the Waterloo station:

Eddie pulls up his hood and rests his head on the back of the bench. Above him, the glass ceiling of Waterloo station soars away. The space makes him dizzy. Feels like he’s inside a giant hot-air balloon flying close to the sun. (ll. 1-3)

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Middle

The middle of the short story comprises the rising action and the climax. The internal conflicts Eddie has are brought to the surface through Angie’s presence.

Angie is a stranger who begins to make small talk with Eddie and gets him to talk about his problems. Because of Angie’s questions, we find out that Eddie’s mother is sick and this has led to him taking care of her, to losing his dog and his girlfriend and even his social life.

Tension increases when we sense the frustration and guilt that Eddie experiences as a result of his mother’s sickness: “He never meets new people, hardly sees those he knows. His world is shrinking. Perhaps his mum’s illness is contagious after all.” (ll. 96-97);

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Ending

The ending of the short story includes the falling action, which shows Angie taking the train while Eddie stays on the platform.

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