Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket

The dramatic structure in “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” is typical of most works of fiction. Events are related in chronological order from the beginning of the story through to its conclusion, and the plot conforms to Freytag’s Pyramid, an outline of dramatic plot structure conceived by German playwright Gustav Freytag. The pyramid starts with exposition, followed by an inciting incident and the rising action. The narrative reaches its dramatic peak at the climax, then progresses through the falling action before concluding with the resolution.

The exposition quickly establishes the story’s New York City setting; the two characters, Tom and Clare; and their circumstances as husband and wife. Tom’s precious yellow paper floating out of his apartment’s open window is the inciting incident that kickstarts the rising action as the plot develops. Suspense and dramatic tension build throughout the rising action until the story’s climax, the moment Tom breaks the window glass with his fist.

With the story’s conflicts resolved, the remainder of the narrative consists of the falling action and resolution. In the falling action, Tom climbs through the broken window into his apartment, places the yellow paper back on his desk, lays a pencil on it as a paper weight, and leaves to meet Clare.