Structure

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Beginning

The story begins with the statement that the zoo would finally allow the public to see its baby Pippin Monkeys, which are on the endangered species list, followed by Val’s remark that he bets they will not be able to get very close (l. 3). Val’s opening statement foreshadows the ending, as the narrator will not enter the Hall at all.

An exposition …

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Middle

The rising action presents Val wanting to take a picture of the Pippin to show his friends. A minor tension point is created, because there is a sign saying that photos are not allowed, and the narrator claims he is strongly against rule-breaking. Val says he will turn off the flash, and the narrator agrees. This foreshadows the narrator breaking the rules later on. The narrator asks Val about the novel, and Val reacts with extreme anger (l. 48), and unless the narrator is familiar with sensory deprivation, he is not going to “get it" (ll. 53-56). This establishes the conflict between Val and the narrator.

Val leaves to the bathroo…

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Ending

In the falling action, Val enters the Hall of Small Mammals alone, leaving his backpack to the narrator, ordering him not to lose it (l. 328). In the resolution, the narrator reflects that the boy did not even turn to offer a parting remark, making the narrator feel entirely unimportant and meaningless: “He acted like I wasn’t even ther…