Structure

The story “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson has a chronological plot structure. The story follows events that take place over the course of several days, when the main character receives a strange button that might change her life for the better, although it would have negative consequences on someone else. The story is broken into several short scenes, marked by three asterisks.

The story begins in medias res, right when Norma finds a package addressed to her left in front of her apartment. In this way, the beginning helps to arouse readers’ curiosity.

The moment when Norma asks Arthur about the button after Mr. Stewart leaves can be considered to be an example of foreshadowing: “ ‘What do you think it was?’ she asked. (…) ‘Aren’t you curious at all?’ ” This moment h...