Structure

The short story “Open Or Wrapped” by Lynne Rees has a simple structure, following an attractive young woman as she receives constant unwanted sexual advances.The…

...

...

Beginning

The short story begins in media res, presenting Francine doing her job and looking at a schoolboy who always comes to look at her from outside the shop: “As Francine wipes down the glass on the hot food cabinet she checks to see if the kid is there again.” (ll. 1-2); “He’s been there nearly every day for two weeks now, turning up before they open at five and hanging about until seven.” (…

...

Middle

The middle of the short story develops the main conflict in the rising action. Here, the writer builds tension by mentioning that one client was particularly pushy with Francine: “But last night had frightened her, brought her close to tears, when one of the late crowd lunged at her across the counter and managed to break off the top button on her overall…” (ll. 32-34)

A conflict with Brian, her employer, develops as Francine is bothered by the fact that he did not defend her: “And Brian hadn’t said anything, just carried on shaking his bloody chips” (ll. 37-38).

The action returns to th…

...

Ending

The falling action shows Francine angrily resuming her serving duties and Brian not knowing how to behave around her. Then, the schoolboy is pushed inside the place by a friend who screams that the boy loves Francine: “…and he can run and speak at the same time, his voice as clear as a newsreader’s – The boy on my back loves …