Flashback, illusion and foreshadowing are used to introduce an unconventional story plot.įirst, Wolff recounts Anders’s experience with his first lover who used to play with him and tickle his fancy. Rather, it continues with a lingering thought as the bullet enters the brain and damages everything it hits. Nevertheless, the story does not end abruptly as the character is shot in the head. Finally, the description of the bullet passing through the brain suggests the denouement and ending of the story, thus completing the traditional plot.

To complete the structure with the climax, the readers see Anders laughing at the robber and receiving the bullet in his brain. Later, as the robber takes notice of Anders and aims the gun under his chin, the readers are led to the realization of the conflict, the burden of escaping death, which is inescapable in the situation. The closing of the cashier line serves as the rising action that contributes to the conflict in the story. Triangular story plot is obvious at the beginning with Anders falling in line, which serves as the introduction. Wolff uses a non-traditional plot to recount the events in the story.Īlthough he follows the story plot triangle at the start, he digresses from that at the end, incorporating flashback, illusion and foreshadowing. In this work, the main character takes so many things for granted, especially the people around him. This is the idea that Tobias Wolff conveys in his story titled Bullet in the Brain.

Endowed with free will, we can either make each day important or take things for granted. To regard such experiences as lessons to learn is our choice. This research will begin with the statement that our everyday experiences can teach us a new lesson about life.

Bullet to the brain tobias wolff