Plot

In “Like Charlie” by John Boyne, the plot develops according to the traditional five elements. The only thing that strikes the reader is the resolution, which does not offer a sense of closure to the story; on the contrary, the resolution is constructed in such a way that the story has an open-ending. We do not know what happens after the “accident” and we can only imagine what will happen to Nick, who, apparently, does not know how to sail a boat.

Exposition. In the exposition, we are presented the most important character in the short story: Nick. He is a ten year old boy who is described as being somehow awkward and not at all masculine: “He didn’t care for numbers but treasured words. He felt awkward when he was surrounded by people, preferring to be left alone whenever possible. Instinctively, he ran from moments of violence and towards the possibility of an embrace.” (ll. 1-4)

We are also introduced to Lewis, Nick’s father. Although not described directly, he is portrayed through N...