Structure
The short story “The Night of the Full Moon” by K. S. Duggal is structured around a single event in the life of the characters—a mother has a one-night stand with a man, but she is mistaken by the villagers for her daughter; this ruins the daughter’s life who probably commits suicide by throwing herself in a well.
The story respects a traditional plot line, with an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The story also includes narrative techniques like foreshadowing, backstory, and plot twists.
Title
The title of the short story— “The Night of the Full Moon”— tells readers when the events take place. Because full moon nights are associated with mystic or strange events, readers can assume the story is about something out of the ordinary.
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Beginning
The story begins directly with a foreshadowing element, as the narrator announces that the two characters—mother and daughter – look alike: “No one believed that Malan and Minnie were mother and daughter: they looked like sisters.” (p. 26, ll. 16-17)
This introduction foreshadows the moment when the mother who has an affair is mistaken for her daughter.
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Middle
The middle of the story introduces backstories about Malan’s unhappy marriage and her secret admirer: “She recalled a cold, moonlit night of many years ago. She was dancing in the mango grove when her dupatta had got caught in his hand.” (p. 28, ll. 13-16), “But Minnie’s father had not once kissed the soles of her feet, nor ever pressed her palms against his eyes. He always came home tired: he ate his meal and fell fats asleep.” (p. 28, l. 16-19)
The rising action is centred on Malan’s worries and dilemmas. She knows her admirer will come knocking at her door again because he always comes on full moon nights: “Malan asked herself why she sat alone in the courtyard under the light of the full moon. Was she expecting someone?” (p. 30, ll. 2-4)
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Ending
The ending of the short story includes the falling action in which some of the consequences of the event are presented. More people from the village gather, the parents of Minnie’s fiancé break the engagement, and it becomes clear that Minnie’s reputation is ruined:
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