Structure

The short story “The Spoiled Child” by Sinéad de Valera follows the structure of a fairy tale, following the challenges the main character needs to overcome to grow up. Consequently, it includes tests, magical persons and objects, and it has a happy ending. This structure is not in opposition with that of a classical plot and, as such, the story also has an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action and a resolution.

Title

The title of the short story already announces what the short story is going to be about,...

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Beginning

The short story begins with an exposition, using typical fairy tale language, setting, and characters. Aisling is the daughter of a rich family in a beautiful Irish land, and the action is set outside a specific time, long, long ago:

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Middle

The middle of the short story develops the rising action, which is comprised of challenges and tests the protagonist (hero) needs to overcome in order to prove herself, like in a typical fairy-tale. The difference between a classical fairy tale and this one is that Aisling initially behaves as an antagonist, treating her servants badly and acting in selfish ways.

As the rising action progresses, the author inserts several traditional fairy-tale elements.

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Ending

The short story has a short falling action and resolution. In the falling action, Ina removes the pin,

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