Structure

The short story “The Inevitable” by Daniel A. Hoyt has a chronological structure and follows the main character over a few days, during her concert tour and until she returns home to her family. 

The beginning introduces the main character and the context: 

I’m touring the Midwest folk-music circuit alone (…) I can create imaginary problems back at home, though if anything happens, Drew will work it out with the girls. He’s a good husband. My daughters and I were lucky to acquire him. (ll. 1-4)

The beginning reveals that the narrator is married to Drew and that she has three daughters with two other men. 

The narrative then foreshadows the narrator’s temperamental behavior: “I used to have a reputation for raising hell. It was really such minor hell − barely even heck − but fo...