Structure

The short story “Three Shots” by Ernest Hemingway is structured around a single event in the life of a young boy: camping in the woods with his father and uncle. The story follows a traditional plot structure, with an exposition, a rising action, a climax…

...

Title

The title of the short story is straightforward and clear: it refers to the three rifle shots that Nick shot to alert his father and uncle. Initially, Nick’s father gives the rifle to the boy and tells him to shoot three times in case of danger, which will call the father…

...

Beginning

The exposition of the short story introduces the three main characters – Nick, his father, and his uncle – as well as the context – a camping trip in the woods:

Nick was undressing in the tent. He saw the shadows of his father and Uncle George cast by the fire on the canvas wall. He felt very uncomfortable and ashamed and undressed as fast as he could, piling his clothes neatly. H…

...

Middle

The rising action presents Nick and his thoughts while walking alone through the woods back to his tent. An important tension point is reached when Nick becomes afraid because he cannot hear a sound:  

Nick lay still and tried to go to sleep. There was no noise anywhere. Nick felt if he could only hear a fox bark or an owl or anything he would be all right. He was not afraid of anything definite as yet. (ll. 16-18)

Another tension point is reached when Nick suddenly thinks about dying an…

...

Ending

The falling action presents Nick’s father and uncle returning from their fishing trip and dealing with the boy’s decision to shoot the rifle. While Nick’s uncle is frustrated, Nick’s father is more understanding and gentle. As he is unable to reveal his fear to his father and uncle, Nick lies about the reason why he fired the shots:

‘What was it, Nickie?’ said his father. Nick sat up in bed.
‘It sounded like a cross bet…