Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
A Sentence Before The Story
The film opens with a trial and a ten-year prison sentence for an unnamed older woman. A sympathetic family doctor then introduces the main story through flashback.
Key Events
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Trial Opens — The film begins with a trial involving an unnamed older woman.
Location: Courtroom
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Ten-Year Sentence — The unnamed older woman is sentenced to ten years in prison.
Location: Courtroom
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Doctor Begins Narration — A sympathetic family doctor narrates the story in flashback.
Location: Unspecified
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Lois Is Introduced — The flashback centers on high school student Lois Marsh. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Unspecified
Pregnancy And A Secret Plan
Lois Marsh discovers that she is pregnant by Bob Mason and becomes anxious about her options. Lois and Bob decide to marry secretly.
Key Events
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Pregnancy Discovered — Lois discovers that she is pregnant by her boyfriend Bob Mason. Characters: Lois Marsh, Bob Mason
Location: Unspecified
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Lois Fears Her Options — Lois worries about what choices remain available to her. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Unspecified
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Bob Joins The Crisis — Lois and Bob confront the consequences of the pregnancy together. Characters: Lois Marsh, Bob Mason
Location: Unspecified
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Secret Marriage Planned — Lois and Bob decide to marry secretly. Characters: Lois Marsh, Bob Mason
Location: Unspecified
Love Lost On The Road
Bob dies in a car accident while traveling to meet Lois. His death destroys their marriage plan and leaves Lois facing the pregnancy alone.
Key Events
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Bob Travels To Lois — Bob drives to meet Lois as they prepare to carry out their plan. Characters: Bob Mason, Lois Marsh
Location: Road
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Fatal Car Accident — Bob dies in a car accident while traveling to meet Lois. Characters: Bob Mason
Location: Road
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Marriage Plan Collapses — Bob's death destroys the secret marriage plan and leaves Lois without him. Characters: Lois Marsh, Bob Mason
Location: Unspecified
A Desperate Medical Choice
Lois confides in a waitress, who directs her to someone performing abortions. Lois undergoes the abortion and collapses on the street afterward.
Key Events
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Lois Confides In Waitress — Lois confides in a waitress about her desperate situation. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Restaurant
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An Abortion Referral — The waitress directs Lois to someone who performs abortions. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Restaurant
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Abortion Takes Place — Lois undergoes the abortion after following the waitress's direction. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Unspecified
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Lois Collapses Outside — Lois passes out on the street after the abortion. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Street
Disclosure And Public Instruction
Lois tells her family doctor what happened, is admitted to the hospital, and has her parents informed. The film concludes with a sex education lecture for teenagers and parents.
Key Events
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Brought To Doctor — Lois is immediately brought to her family doctor. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Family Doctor's Office
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Lois Reveals The Abortion — Lois tells the family doctor what has happened. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Family Doctor's Office
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Hospital Admission — The doctor admits Lois to the hospital. Characters: Lois Marsh
Location: Hospital
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Parents Are Informed — The doctor informs Lois's parents about the abortion. Characters: Lois Marsh, Mrs. Marsh, Arnold Marsh
Location: Hospital
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Sex Education Lecture — The doctor lectures teens and parents on disease, anatomy, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Location: Lecture Room