Page 1: Introduction and Rising Action

The first page of "Loose Change" introduces the main characters and sets the scene for their encounter.

The story begins in the National Portrait Gallery in London, where the narrator meets Laylor, a young refugee woman. The author uses a first-person narrative perspective, allowing readers to experience the narrator's thoughts and reactions directly.

Highlight: The story is told from a first-person point of view, providing detailed insights into the narrator's thoughts and experiences.

The exposition (lines 1-84) describes the initial meeting between the narrator and Laylor. The narrator's initial thoughts about Laylor are critical and somewhat judgmental, focusing on her appearance and behavior.

Quote: The narrator describes Laylor's jawline as "solid" and thinks "that she looked to have taken a gentle whack from Tom and Jerry's cartoon frying pan" (lines 27-29).

The rising action (lines 85-169) depicts the developing interaction between the two women. As they converse, the narrator's interest is piqued, but she remains conflicted about Laylor's presence and behavior.

Example: The narrator is disgusted when Laylor wipes sugar from a dirty table into her cup (lines 129-130).

As Laylor reveals more about her difficult circumstances, the narrator begins to feel a mix of pity and discomfort. This section showcases the narrator's internal struggle between empathy and self-preservation.

Quote: "The memory of the bitter cold still tingled at my fingertips..." (lines 170-171), indicating a moment of empathy from the narrator.

The climax of the story occurs when Laylor discloses that she is a refugee. The narrator's reaction is complex, involving skepticism, self-doubt, and a brief reflection on her own family history.

Vocabulary: Climax - The point of highest tension or drama in a narrative.