Plot

Usually, short stories are composed of a single event which involves the participation of a small number of characters. By plot, we understand the sequence of events that compose a story. Generally, they are exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Keep in mind that not all short stories follow this traditional pattern; some of the more modern short stories lack certain elements of the plot or the plot altogether.

The short story “The Hockey Sweater” by Roch Carrier is quite simple regarding the plot. The text only explores the inner conflict of the boy who is forced to wear the uniform of the opposing hockey team. He also has a small verbal conflict with the vicar. The conflict remains unresolved, as the boy is seen praying for the sweater to be destroyed by moths.

The story consists of the following elements of plot:

Table of contents

Exposition
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution

Exposition

In the exposition, we are presented with the narrator and the setting in which the action takes place: “The winter of my childhood were long, long seasons. We lived in three places – the school, the church and the skating-rink – but our real life was on the skating-rink.” (p. 276, ll. 1-3)

Rising action

When the boy’s sweater (the unifor...