Structure

The beginning of “Ice Cream” by Helen Dunmore introduces the main character – Clara – and the context of the story, Clara’s birthday celebration: “It is just before midnight on Clara’s twenty-fourth birthday when she begins to think of ice cream” (p. 83, ll. 1-2). The beginning of the story also mentions Clara’s problematic relationship with ice cream, and food in general: “She does not even think of eating ice cream” (p. 83, l. 8).

The story further analyzes Clara’s conflicting relationship with ice cream. A tension point is introduced when Elise, Clara’s personal trainer, hears Clara mentioning ice cream (pp. 83-84, ll. 30-31, ll. 1-2). Elise tries to convince Clara to meditate and forget about ice cream, but tension increases when Clara does not seem to let the thought go (p....