Richard Matheson’s “Button, Button” Story Map Review MRS. FISCHER ELA-7

Characters - Norma Married to Arthur She is intrigued by the button and wonders what will happen if she pushes it She thinks about the things that they could do with all of the money Character traits: Greedy Selfish Mean Disrespectful

Characters - Arthur Married to Norma Disgusted by the fact that Norma is considering pushing the button He wants nothing to do with the button and tells Norma to just get rid of it Character traits: Rational Moral

Characters – Mr. Steward The man who dropped the button off at Norma and Arthur’s house When Norma complained that Arthur was killed, Mr. Steward asked if she really knew her husband Character traits: Mysterious

Setting 1950’s New York, NY Apartment Building

Conflict Internal Conflict External Conflict Norma struggled with whether or not to push the button Is the money worth the loss of another human life? Norma and Arthur disagree about the button offer Arthur wants nothing to do with the unit and cannot understand why Norma is so interested Norma insisted on pushing the button

Point of View Third Person Limited Gives one character’s thoughts and reactions (Norma) Tells little about the other characters in the story Uses third person pronouns such as he, she, they and them

Parts of the Plot Exposition Climax Resolution Norma and Arthur receive a package at their apartment. Mr. Steward is introduced and explains to the couple that if they push the button, someone they do not know will die, and they will receive $50,000. Norma and Arthur argue about the button. Climax Norma pushes the button after Arthur has left for work and she promised she wouldn’t. Resolution Arthur is killed by a subway train. Mr. Steward calls Norma after Arthur has died, and he questions whether or not she really knew her husband.

Theme Sometimes you don’t someone as well as you think you do Greed leads to destruction Some people will stop at nothing for money