Structure

The short story “Gideon” by Z.Z. Packer focuses on the relationship between an African-American narrator and a Jewish man named Gideon. The main event of the narrative is represented by the narrator faking a pregnancy to test Gideon.

The plot of the story follows a traditional structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It is character-building, focusing on Gideon’s traits and those of the narrator, and it illustrates the theme of interracial relationships.

Title

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Beginning

The story begins with a direct address (breaking the fourth wall) in which the narrator engages the readers directly, hooking their attention: “You know what I mean? I was nineteen and crazy back then. I'd met this Jewish guy with this really Jewish name: Gideon.” (p. 152, ll. 1-2)

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Middle

The middle of the short story conveys a vivid description of Gideon and his relationship with the narrator. In the rising action, we get to know that Gideon has strong political views which he tries to impose on the narrator, something which bothers her: ‘You know what's wrong with these fascist corporations?’ No matter how you responded, you'd always be wrong because he'd say, ‘Exactly!’ then go on to tell you his theory, which had nothing to do with anything you'd just said. (p. 152, ll. 13-16)

The narrator offers readers a backstory on Gideon and their relationship, before returning to “that one day” (p. 153 l. 27).

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Ending

In the falling action the narrator imagines for a brief moment what would happen if they were to have a baby: “I saw him thinking about his parents - Sy and Rita - growing worried in their condo's sunny Sarasota kitchen;

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