Separating
John Updike
Plot Line Overview
Rising Action: Richard and Joan argue about how to break the news to their children and the couple tells their children about their splitting for the summer.
Climax: John (one of Richard and Joan's children) explodes at the news.
Falling Action: Richard goes to get one of his sons (Dickie) from the train station and he breaks the news to him.
More Climactic Action: Dickie asks why and Richard reflects that he does not know anymore.
Character Information: Richard and Dickie
Dickie: Dickie is not introduced into the story until the later half, but his character is developed quickly through his conversations with his father and his mother. "'Sure you want to get up and go to work? You've had a big night.' 'I want to.'" Dickies responsible character is shown here. "...but his son, sinewy, turned and with wet checks..." Although Dickies reaction to the news in the car was neutral, this shows that he is in some way effected by the news and he is unpleased about it.