Plot and structure

In this section we will help you identify the main elements of the plot in "In Hiding" by Joyce Carol Oates.  Remember that the plot is a series of casual events that include a beginning, middle, and an ending. …

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Rising action: introduction of the problem or conflict

The plot gets complicated when the letters start to grow in frequency and get more personal.  At this point, the protagonist starts struggling with two issues: the worry that her son might find out she is corresponding wit…

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Climax: the high point

The climax is the high point of the story. This is the darkest moment, the worst challenge the character must oppose. In this case, it is a potential encounter of the protagonist with her prison pen-pal, Woody. As we have seen above, the plot of this story is not a typical one. In this case, the end of the story, the resolution coincides with the climax.

Pay attention to how the tension rises and builds up through the author’s ch…