Structure

The short story “The Somebody” by Danny Santiago is not structured according to the traditional way: as nothing impressive really happens in the story, we can even say that it is devoid of plot. The text has an exposition in which the main character and the context are presented, but lacks any rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. In fact, the ending of the short story is left open to interpretation.

Title

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Beginning

The beginning of the story is very explicative when it comes to the identity of the main character and the context in which he lives. We get to know that Chato is a Mexican teenager who wants to quit school:

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Middle

In the middle of the short story, we find out that Chato’s parents are not too concerned with his decision to quit school. His father is very ironic and grumpy when he hears it:

Don't you want to be a lawyer no more," he says in Spanish, "and defend the Mexican people?"
My father thinks he is very funny, and next time I make any plans, he's sure not going to hear about it.
"Don't you want to be a doctor," he says, "and cut off my leg for nothing someday?"

Chato’s mother is too concerned with her baby to care for her older son.

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Ending

The ending of the short story presents Chato writing his name on an important street, near the banks in town.

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