WRIT201-B03_ Creative Nonfiction Outline: Mother of Two Heckles 90-Year-Old War Vet

Mother of Two Heckles 90-Year-Old War Vet

I. Universal Theme of Story:

a. Kindness that endures even through hardship— likely the most troubling

kind— be one from who has witnessed war.

b. Effects of generational and societal changes.

c. Human connection

d. The risk of assumption

II. Setting:

a. General retail store (Walmart)

b. Electronics/ Wireless Department

III. Character Descriptions:

a. Elderly man:

i. Former Korean War Veteran, traverses by motor scooter.

ii. Just turned ninety years of age.

iii. Walks with the grit from a troubled past of war experience.

iv. Encounters joy and redeeming consolation from the young boy.

v. Shares a kind and giving spirit

b. Family of four:

i. Father:

1. Average American middle-aged backwoods Joe.

2. Tall with dark hair

3. Does not intervene much, if at all, in the story.

4. Likely does not want to be involved in altercation

ii. Mother:

1. Average American middle-aged backwoods mother

2. Average female height with blonde hair

3. She co-develops the main narrative alongside the war vet.

4. She is premature in her behavior and actions.

5. She is overtly misjudging.

6. Becomes filled with self pride.

iii. Young boy:

1. Average young boy, age nine

2. Dark brown maybe blackish hair

3. Excited to communicate with the old vet.

4. Has a birthday coming up. About to turn ten.

iv. Young girl:

1. Youngest of the family.

2. Small average bubbly and ornery toddler.

IV. Main Conflict:

a. Misjudgment from the mother to the old man

b. Ego vs. reality

c. Misuse of good communication

d. Pride

e. Charity vs. genuine kindness

V. Exposition:

a. Takes place in the back of a Walmart in the wireless center.

b. The family of four had been at the service counter receiving wireless

assistance prior to old vet's arrival

c. Story opens with old vet seeking help with his phone service.

d. Conflict arises when mother misjudges old man's kindness with perhaps

hidden motives.

e. She is also offended as she felt her kids and family were being treated as

charity.

VI. Rising Action:

a. Mother is offended by the old man exhibiting genuine kindness to the

young boy of the family by offering the young boy ten dollars for his

upcoming birthday.

b. Misunderstanding and tension unravel between the mother and old vet in

an open public setting.

VII. Climax:

a. Mother is offended by the old man exhibiting genuine kindness to the

young boy of the family by offering the young boy ten dollars for his

upcoming birthday.

b. Confusion and tension fill the atmosphere

c. Old vet is ambiguous and becomes bewildered but remains faithful to his

act of kindness.

VIII. Falling Action:

a. The people in the surrounding area are left a bit puzzled and unsettled.

b. The wireless associate respectfully intervenes to grant some understanding

and attempts to de-escalate the tense altercation.

IX. Resolution:

a. The wireless associate respectfully intervenes to grant some understanding

and attempts to de-escalate the tense altercation.

b. Presumptuous emotions or “bias" assumptions can lead to poor judgement

and result in unfortunate relations. However, much lesson can also be

extracted from these encounters. Not all is lost with misfortunate

occurrences.