Structure
The short story “Dancing to Nat King Cole” by James Wall is structured around an elderly couple, Katherine and Charles Simpson. The old man probably has Alzheimer’s disease, which makes it …
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Beginning
The exposition of the story introduces us to Katherine and Charles Simpson and suggests that Charles has a problem:
Charles and Katherine Simpson are finishing their breakfast when the telephone ring…
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Middle
In the rising action, Charles’ situation becomes clearer: he forgets that he does not own a car anymore and we can assume that he probably has Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia:
As Charles goes to open the garage door, Rebecca takes his arm and guides him to her car. She and Katherine sold his Mercedes some time ago, and they take taxis now. ‘I want to chauffeur yo…
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Ending
The ending of the story introduces readers to a tension point: one day, as he becomes angry because he cannot find his book, Charles fails to recognise his wife:
He looks up at her, the packet in his hand. ‘Who are you?’ She feels aware of her arms, how they dangle stupidly by her sides. ‘It’s me,’ she whispers. ‘…
