Structure
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Beginning
The short story begins with a short backstory and an introduction into the main character’s circumstances: Frida Boyelski always wanted a daughter. Now, her daughter has told her that she is actually a young man (ll. 1-2).
In the exposition, we learn that, at first, Frida believes Ruthie is gay. Even after Ruthie denies this and explains that she is transgender and asks her to read a book on the topic, Frida still believes that Ruthie is gay, which creates a tension point in the story (ll. 5-6).
Frida then asks Ruthie several questions and learns that Ruthie is going to stay at her friend Leah’s house during the school holidays. …
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Middle
In the rising action, the narrator repeats that Frida does not want to read the book given to her by Ruthie because she is afraid that her daughter will turn into a stranger.
We learn more about Frida’s life through a backstory. She learnt English at the age of 26, and she immigrated to Australia to meet a man, have a daughter, and offer that daughter the opportunities Frida herself never had (ll. 34-36). For twelve years, she has been working at a nursing home, and she has never called in sick (ll. 37-38).
Today, however, Frida decides to call in sick. She then calls the Jewish Observer and puts an advertisement in the Bereavements section. The message announces that Frida will sit shiva at home and that she welcomes visitors. This hints at a backstory about Frida being Jewish.
Frida remembers how her own father sat shiva for seven days, on a low chair, when her grandfather died. She also remembers several rituals associated with shiva, and follows them (ll. 49-52).
Frida thinks about sitting on a cushion …
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Ending
In the falling action, the next lines suggest Frida’s struggle and disappointment over trying to accept that her daughter is now her son: “Frida Boyelski had always wanted a daughter. Then she had a daughter and that daughter turned out to be a son.” (ll. 188-190). However, the narrator subtly suggests that Frida is willing to accept her new son, as she suggests Rafael that they make dinner and eat together.
The resolution shows Frida observing Rafael and his features (ll. 192-195). The description suggests that Rafael feels comfortable in his body when identifying as a man. Rafael grips Frida’s arm an…
