Sometimes the story's resolution is explicitly clear, while other times, as in the end of 'A Good Man is Hard to Find,' it isn't. Twentieth century novelist James Joyce believed that the short story should end with an epiphany, a new level of insight the character gains from the action. While the story's resolution involves how the plot literally ends, it also focuses on how the characters respond to its overall events. Analyze the story's climax by looking at how the preceding chain of events logically leads to it and sets the stage for this moment of truth. In 'A Good Man is Hard to Find,' the climax begins when the men accompanying The Misfit begin executing the family, and reaches its greatest intensity when the grandmother uses her last words to tell The Misfit that he is 'one of my own children,' forgiving him for his actions. The climax is the emotional high point of the action in a story where the characters have entered the point of no return regardless of what happens after this event, they will be irrevocably changed by it. You also might consider the order of the events, analyzing how each one leads to another as the story advances. As you analyze the plot's rising action, identify each event and how it functions to escalate the conflict.

In 'A Good Man is Hard to Find,' the rising action covers the beginning of the family's journey, their visit to a truck stop and finally, a car accident that leaves them stranded. The book's rising action includes the events in the story where things start to get a little more complicated for the characters and the ending seems uncertain. Trace the Rising ActionĪs the story continues to develop, its major conflict begins to gain steam and tension. As you analyze the plot, look closely at the beginning and determine what events and potential difficulties the characters are facing as the story opens.

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