Analysis

Here you can read the summarised version of our analysis of the short story “Diary of an Interesting Year” by Helen Simpson.

The story takes the form of a diary and follows a traditional plot structure, having an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action, and an open resolution. The most important characters are the narrator, her husband G., and her husband’s murderer, M.. The narrator of the short story is a 30-year-old married woman who does not have children.

The events take place in the future, in 2040 Britain. The social setting mainly focuses on the aftermath of global warming and on the way society copes with its consequences. The narrative is very explicit, containing an abundance of details regarding the things that the narrator experiences.

Given that the short story is structured in the form of a series of diary entries, the language is economical and fragmented.  The author relies on imagery, quotations, similes, allusions, and symbols to express its message.

Read the full analysis of the short story in the next pages of this study guide!