Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the author of this story?
Who is the author of this story?
Jack Finney
What's the exposition?
What's the exposition?
Tom Benecke works in wholesale groceries, working on a special project; he wants to be #1 and is very ambitious.
Who is Tom's wife?
Who is Tom's wife?
Clare
What is the setting?
What is the setting?
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What is the primary cause of Tom stepping outside?
What is the primary cause of Tom stepping outside?
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What's the rising action?
What's the rising action?
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What's the climax?
What's the climax?
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Why is when Tom puts his fist through the window the climax?
Why is when Tom puts his fist through the window the climax?
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What does Tom do after the paper flies back out the window?
What does Tom do after the paper flies back out the window?
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What's the falling action?
What's the falling action?
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What's the denouement?
What's the denouement?
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What does Tom yell when he finally gets back inside? What does this symbolize?
What does Tom yell when he finally gets back inside? What does this symbolize?
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What does the author ultimately create by adding detail after detail, slowing time down for the reader?
What does the author ultimately create by adding detail after detail, slowing time down for the reader?
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Is Tom ever in conflict with his wife?
Is Tom ever in conflict with his wife?
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What does the color 'yellow' represent?
What does the color 'yellow' represent?
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What is a central message or insight revealed through a literary work?
What is a central message or insight revealed through a literary work?
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What are some of the themes from this story?
What are some of the themes from this story?
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What is a struggle within a character, such as when a character struggles with his own conscience?
What is a struggle within a character, such as when a character struggles with his own conscience?
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What are examples of internal conflicts in this story?
What are examples of internal conflicts in this story?
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What is a struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another character or nature?
What is a struggle between a character and an outside force, such as another character or nature?
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What are examples of external conflicts in this story?
What are examples of external conflicts in this story?
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Study Notes
Author
- Jack Finney is the author of "Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets."
Exposition
- Tom Benecke, characterized as ambitious and hard-working, is involved in a special project in wholesale groceries, motivated to be the best.
Characters
- Clare is Tom's wife, who opts to go out to the movies, highlighting his work-life balance struggles.
Setting
- The story is set in an apartment on Lexington Avenue in New York, situated eleven stories above ground.
Inciting Incident
- The catalyst for Tom’s precarious situation is when a crucial yellow sheet of paper containing his notes flies out the window.
Rising Action
- While balancing on the ledge, Tom attempts to retrieve the paper, exhibiting panic and frustration through desperate actions such as yelling for help and throwing objects.
Climax
- The climax occurs when Tom, in an intense moment of desperation, puts his fist through the window to regain access to his apartment.
Significance of Climax
- This moment is critical as it represents a pivotal choice, exposing the risks Tom is willing to take for his ambitions versus the potential consequences of falling.
Resolution
- After retrieving the paper, when Tom goes to meet Clare, he expresses relief and joy, illustrating a shift in his priorities.
Denouement
- The return of the paper to the outside signifies his realization that material gains are less important than his relationship with Clare.
Symbolism
- Tom’s cry of "Clare!" upon returning inside symbolizes his newfound appreciation for life and relationships over work.
Literary Techniques
- The author creates suspense by carefully escalating tension through detailed descriptions, effectively slowing time for readers during Tom's perilous experience.
Relationship Dynamics
- Tom's conflict is primarily internal, demonstrating his struggle between ambition and the need for connection with his wife, reflecting a lack of external conflict with Clare.
Symbolic Color
- Yellow represents caution and serves as a metaphor for the time spent on work instead of valuing relationships, reinforcing the story's themes.
Themes
- Major themes include the importance of prioritizing personal relationships and the realization that one often undervalues what they have until it is nearly lost.
Internal Conflict
- Tom experiences internal conflict when torn between his ambition and the emotional toll on his personal life.
External Conflicts
- Tom faces several external conflicts, including the physical dangers of falling, the oppressive cold, and breaking through the window as he struggles against nature and his surroundings.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Jack Finney's 'Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets.' This quiz covers key characters, plot points, and themes found in the story. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of this classic work.