Structure

The short story “Galveston” by Frederick Barthelme has a non-linear plot structure. We follow the narrator’s train of thought as he remembers various events from his past, in non-chronological order. The connection between these events is emotional rather than logical, which is why the text appears fragmented. 

The short story begins in medias res with the narrator revealing that Rachel does not care about his doings. This foreshadows Rachel calling the narrator to tell him she does not want to see him again. 

Most of the events in the story are presented through flashbacks. For instance, the trip to Utah is described in two flashbacks, one at the beginning, and the other in the middle of the story. 

The short story does not have an actual plo...