Structure

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Middle

In the rising action of the first part of “Son of Satan”, the narrator suggests to his two friends that they should “get” Simpson (p. 39, l. 8), thus creating the first main conflict of the narrative. Though the reason given for the conflict is random, the narrator’s two friends are quick to accept it as fact.

The tension rises as the three boys approach Simpson and surround him. As the verbal insults escalate to physical violence, Simpson gets increasingly frightened (p.40, ll. 12-13). The tension falls briefly as the narrator considers letting Simpson go but rises again as he decides that, as the leader, he cannot show any sympathy (p. 40, ll. 32-34). This points briefly to the narrator’s own inner conflict.

The tension rises further as the boys hold a trial and find Simpson guilty, and the narrator decides that he should “be hanged by the neck until dead” (p. 41, ll. 32-33). As Simpson tries to escape, Hass catches him, tackles him to the ground, and begins punching him (ll. 40-41, p. 41; l. 1, p. 42), leading to another external conflict, this time between Hass and the narrator (ll. 1-4, p. 42).

The tension briefly falls, but then rises again as the narrator has another moment of hesitation, and is supported by Morgan, but he is quick to overcome it again (p. 42, ll. 25-30). In the climax of the first part of the story, the narrator h…