Summary of Rule of Three by W.W. Jacobs

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“Rule of Three” is a short story by the author W. W. Jacobs. The story contains a lengthy exposition that gradually introduces the setting and the main protagonist and the main antagonist. The setting is the White’s family home, in a small English town on a dark, story night to set the mood for the story’s suspense. By the end of Act 1, the exposition is over. When the exposition ends, the inciting incident begins.

The inciting incident in “Rule of Three” occurs right after Sergeant Major Morris’ visit to the Whites. Even though Sergeant Major Morris had warned and attempted to destroy the limb in the fireplace, the Whites were too stubborn to listen to the man. Instead, they took the paw and out of complete idiocy, wishes for 200 pounds. Something of material gain, which they did not realize would cost them as Sergeant Major Morris had warned.

The climax of “Rule of Three” is when Mrs. White demands that Mr. White uses his second wish to bring his son back from the dead. This is the highest point of excitement in the story because the events that occur next are written with suspe...

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