Structure

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Beginning

The short story "Nairobi" by Joyce Carol Oates begins in medias res as “the man who had introduced himself as Oliver” takes Ginny shopping on Madison Avenue for “an appropriate outfit” (l. 2-4). We assume that Oliver met Ginny only recently, although we never learn how they met, and the nature of their agreement is revealed to us only partially and gradually…

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Middle

In the rising action, Oliver chooses Ginny’s outfit, and her own is packed away. As they head off to buy earrings, there is a slight rise in tension as Oliver, “standing rather close” (l. 45) asks her when she got her ears pierced, “as if he were asking a favor of her” (ll. 49-50). Ginny’s reaction (ll. 49-51) suggests that she is uncertain of how she should behave with Oliver. It also hints that their relationship is strictly professional, and Ginny does not know how to react to Oliver asking her a personal question. Oliver buys …

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Ending

In the falling action, Oliver and Ginny leave the apartment and take the elevator down. The tension falls, as they are free of the social expectations placed on their behavior. Oliver wipes his forehead with a handkerchief while Ginny notices with some disappointment that her appearance is not as perfect as it seemed to be on the way up (ll. 119-224).

In the resolution…