Structure

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Beginning

The short story “Going Home” by Archie Weller begins with a narrative hook, drawing readers’ attention with the lyrics of a song (p. 108, ll. 1-3) and a man whose identity is yet unknown: “The man doesn’t know that world.” (p. 108, l. 8)

The exposition familiarizes readers with the setting and with the main character, Billy Woodward, through various details about his appearance and his life. The narrator states: “At last he …

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Middle

The rising action begins with a series of flashbacks which present Billy’s memories of the past five years. These provide more details about Billy’s life as a college student and help readers understand his circumstances. Billy’s rejection of his Aboriginal roots and his inner conflict are revealed as the narrator mentions, for example, how Billy “never went out to the park at Guildford, so he never saw his people: his dark, silent staring people, his rowdy, brawling, drunk people.” (p. 109, ll. 2-4). This also creates tension and suggests the underlying con…

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Ending

In the falling action, Billy tries to explain that he was not involved in the robbery because he was at home (p. 117, ll. 9-10), but the police do not listen to him, and threaten him, creating a tension point: “ ‘You mongrel black bastard, I’m going to make you – and your fucking brother – jump.’ ” (p. 117, ll. 18-19). The policemen also arrest Carlton and put him inside the police car, bes…