Challenge 195

That Was Then, and This Was Then, Too

1. Simultaneous actions can cause plotting problems. Norman A. Rubin’s “The Honored and the Forgotten” has three simultaneous actions: Samuel goes to a meeting, Henrietta is locked in a closet, and a concerned neighbor comes looking for Henrietta.

   Recounting the actions in chronological order gives the story bitter dramatic irony, but it also makes the story an anti-climax from the moment Henrietta realizes she can’t unlock the closet door.

   Suppose the actions were not recounted in chronological order and we don’t find out till the end what’s happened to Henrietta? How would the story be affected? For example:

   1. Samuel leaves while Henrietta is looking for his medals. He spends a week enjoying his reunion.
   2. Simultaneous scene: The neighbor lady comes looking for Henrietta but can’t find her.
   3. Samuel sets out for the airport to return home.
   4. Flashback: Henrietta is locked in the closet as Samuel leaves for the conference.
   5. Samuel comes home to find no Henrietta, just a bad smell.

2. In P. J. Gifford’s “Long Memories,” Mary Higgins should go directly to jail, not pass “Go,” not collect $200. In fact, she practically leaves a signed confession at the crime scene. Can you think of a way to tweak things just a little and cover for her?

3. In David H. Fears’ “The Great Blue Heron,” what is the similarity — other than the heron — between the two drownings so widely spaced in time?

   
   

   Responses welcome!

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