Structure

An interesting aspect of the structure of  “A Place in the Sun” is that it lacks traditional plot elements like the rising action, falling action, and resolution, and the climax is revealed at the end. Instead, Joanne Harris's story focuses on the protagonist’s psycholo…

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Beginning

The opening paragraph indicates that the story is about exclusive beaches where only the best looking people have access: “There are beaches in Brazil where prospective bather are vetted according to age and looks, and from which the old, the ugly and the overweight are barred…” (ll. 1-2)

The main part of the story begins in media res, in the middle of events, and is presented as a monologue. The protagonist states that she only wants a place at the most exclusive beach, Platinum Sands™: “That’s all I want, A place in the sun: a nice patch, six by four; room for a towel, cosmetics bag, suntan lotion, deck-chair. (…) Platinum Sands™, they call it: the Beach of Beaches, the ultimate in solar pleasure.” (ll. 6-9). The fact that she mentions bringing a cosmetics bag at the beach is peculiar and represents a foreshadowing element for the attention that the protagonist (along with society) pays to her physical appearance.

In the exposition, we learn that Platinum Sands™ has high aesthetic standards, which are ensured by removing any weeds, stones, or beach-life that are aesthetically displeasing. This helps readers understand ho…