"Heartbeat" Short Story Analysis

Events that are part of the exposition

• Sarah calls Dave "so skinny."

• Dave asks his parents for new clothes.

• Dave goes to the party with many layers of clothes.

• Dave forgets the extra layers of clothes at the party when he leaves.

Event that is part of the rising action

• Dave eats as much food as he can but can't gain weight.

• Sarah calls Dave "so skinny."

• Sarah squeezes Dave's arm and asks him how many layers he is wearing.

• Dave leaves his extra clothes at the party.

Event that is part of the turning point / climax

• Dave feels like he is "breaking out with Ebola or something" at the party.

• Dave asks his parents for new clothes.

• Dave starts wearing more and more layers.

• Dave lays out four different outfits and wonders if he should "just wear all of them."

Event that is part of the falling action

• Dave is getting ready to go to another party.

• Dave eats lots of calories but can't gain weight.

• Dave asks his parents for new clothes.

• Sarah squeezes Dave's arm and asks how many layers he is wearing.

Event that is part of the resolution

• Dave wonders if he should wear all four outfits to the next party.

• Dave asks his parents for more clothes.

• Dave removes the extra layers of clothing and leaves them at the party.

• Sarah squeezes Dave's arm and asks how many layers he is wearing.