“Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”

By Jack Finney

Literary AnalysisConflict and Resoultion

Internal Conflict• In an internal conflict, a

character struggles with his or her own opposing desires, beliefs, or needs.

External Conflict• In an external conflict, a

character struggles against an outside force, such as an element of nature, or another character.

Literary Analysis

Main Internal Conflict

• The main internal conflict is between Tom’s ambition and his love for his wife.

• Tom’s internal conflict is resolved when he lets the yellow sheet float back out the window.

Main External Conflict

• The main external conflict is Tom’s struggle to get back into his apartment.

• Tom’s external conflict is resolved when he breaks the window

Reading Skill – Cause and Effect

• A cause is an event, an action, or a situation that produces a result.

• An effect is the result produced.• To better follow a story, analyze causes and

effects as you read, determining which earlier events lead to which later events.

• Many stories are chains of cause and effect, in which one event leads to the next.

Cause and Effect

• Tom’s decision to stay home and work sets the cause/effect chain in motion.

• Short term: The paper flies out the window as he shuts the door behind his wife.

• Long term: Tom realizes that his life is more important than his work.

• Key detail: Clare goes to the movies; Effect: She will not return home in time to help Tom.

Vocabulary

• Convoluted: adj. twisted in a complicated way. The convoluted maze confused us.

• Verified: v. - proved to be true. He verified the results of the test by double-checking the scores.

• Deftness: n. – skillfulness. She climbed with the deftness of a mountain goat.

Vocabulary

• Imperceptibly: adv. – so slowly or slightly as to be barely noticeable. I did not notice when the fish nibbled imperceptibly at my bait.

• Reveling: v. – taking great pleasure or delight. When she got her first job, she could not stop reveling in her newfound independence.

• Interminable: adj. – endless or seeming endless. The wait seemed interminable to the impatient shopper.

Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket

• In the selection, Tom Benecke stays home to work on a business proposal while his wife goes to the movies alone.

• When Tom has a harrowing experience on the ledge of his apartment building, he is forced to reexamine his life and reshape his outlook.

• At first, Tom feels safe and secure in his environment and place in life.

• When he Is out on the ledge, he realizes how dangerous reality can be and how small he is in the world.