Structure

The story “The Wall-Reader” by Fiona Barr follows a chronological plot structure. The story centers around an event that ultimately changes the life of the main character and her family.

The story begins in medias res, immediately drawing attention to one of the political slogans written on the building walls of Belfast:

‘Shall only our rivers run free?’ The question jumped up from the cobbled wall in huge white letters, as The People’s Taxi swung round the corner at Beechmount. Looks like paint is running freely enough down here, she thought to herself, as other slogans glided past in rapid succession. Reading Belfast’s grim graffiti had become an entertaining hobby for her…

The fact that the story begins by describing the graffiti points to the main character’s fascination with it. The graffiti also serves to offer the reader an indication of the time period when the events take place, as such political slogans often appeared on the walls of buildings in Belfast during the Troubles.

In the opening paragraph, Mary wonders whether anyone spots the writers of the graffiti in the act. This foreshadows the moment when Mary will notice the figures hiding close to the motorway, and realize they are graffiti artists. 

The story contains other instances of foreshadowing. For example, Mary regrets being so ordinary and would like someone to write her...