Plot and structure

In this section, we will help you identify the elements of the plot and how “The rescue” is structured. By plot, we understand a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story, and how these events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence. In literary works, there are at least a dozen types of plot. Consequently, not all plots develop along the five classical elements, which are the exposition, the rising action, the climax, the falling action and the resolution.

Bray’s short story is developed around a flashback plot. This means that instead of being composed of smaller climaxes that lead to the larger climax, the story is told with numerous flashbacks, which explain the forward motion of the protagonist.

For instance, the father recalls his attitude, when he first realized his son had a drug problem:

"In the beginning he thought the rescue would be easy. Equipped with a Say-No-to-Drugs book and audiocassette, he set out to winch the son to safety". (ll. 14-15)

The ...