Worksheet
Short Story Analysis Worksheet
Title of short story The moment before the gun went off
Author’s Name Nadine Gordimer
Year of Publication 1991
Physical: Place & Time Place: South Africa
(include clues which help Time: Just after the abolishment of the
you determine this)
South African Apartheid
Setting
Social Context After the abolishment of apartheid in South
(include clues which help Africa
you determine this)
Characters & character Marais van der Vyver: Flat static
type protagonist. Sympathized
(Round/flat
/static/dynamic/
stereotypical/anti-hero/etc.
Main character
Direct characterizations
(Which direct
characterizations can you
locate in the story?)
Indirect characterizations
(Which indirect
characterizations can you
locate in the story?)
Plot (max. 10 sentences) This isn’t your usual pyramid. This story
Indicate the five stages of doesn’t have a chronological order.
Freytag’s pyramid in the plot of
Exposition: Marais van der Vyver and
this story. If stages are missing,
Lucas decide to go hunting.
list this. Keep in mind Plot (cont.)
that some stages may be in a Inciting incident: The rifle was placed
different order, be missing, or be beside Marais in the car.
present more than once. Rising action: van der Vyver drives
speedily over the pothole.
Short Story Analysis Worksheet
Title of short story The moment before the gun went off
Author’s Name Nadine Gordimer
Year of Publication 1991
Physical: Place & Time Place: South Africa
(include clues which help Time: Just after the abolishment of the
you determine this)
South African Apartheid
Setting
Social Context After the abolishment of apartheid in South
(include clues which help Africa
you determine this)
Characters & character Marais van der Vyver: Flat static
type protagonist. Sympathized
(Round/flat
/static/dynamic/
stereotypical/anti-hero/etc.
Main character
Direct characterizations
(Which direct
characterizations can you
locate in the story?)
Indirect characterizations
(Which indirect
characterizations can you
locate in the story?)
Plot (max. 10 sentences) This isn’t your usual pyramid. This story
Indicate the five stages of doesn’t have a chronological order.
Freytag’s pyramid in the plot of
Exposition: Marais van der Vyver and
this story. If stages are missing,
Lucas decide to go hunting.
list this. Keep in mind Plot (cont.)
that some stages may be in a Inciting incident: The rifle was placed
different order, be missing, or be beside Marais in the car.
present more than once. Rising action: van der Vyver drives
speedily over the pothole.
