Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Mina and Georges have been married for fifteen years and have a son, Tommy. Mina works part-time while Georges is unemployed.

Normandy in 1962 — The story is set in Normandy in 1962. Characters: Mina, Georges, Tommy Location: Normandy
Fifteen-Year Marriage — Mina and Georges have been married for fifteen years. Characters: Mina, Georges Location: Normandy
Tommy Joins Family — Mina and Georges have a son named Tommy. Characters: Mina, Georges, Tommy Location: Normandy
Mina's Domestic Work — Mina works part-time as a domestic worker. Characters: Mina Location: Normandy

Mina once loved Georges deeply, but the passion of their marriage dies out. Georges takes a job at a remote bridge construction site.

Georges Loses Employment — Georges is described as unemployed before taking new work. Characters: Georges Location: Normandy
Marriage Passion Fades — The initial passion of Mina and Georges's marriage fades over time. Characters: Mina, Georges Location: Normandy
Bridge Site Employment — Georges takes a job at a remote bridge construction site. Characters: Georges Location: Remote bridge construction site
Remote Bridge Site — Georges works at a remote bridge construction site. Characters: Georges Location: Remote bridge construction site

Mina meets a new romantic interest and falls in love with him. She becomes emotionally torn between Georges and the new relationship.

New Romantic Interest — Mina meets a new romantic interest. Characters: Mina Location: Normandy
Mina Falls In Love — Mina falls in love with the new romantic interest. Characters: Mina Location: Normandy
Emotional Tornness — Mina is emotionally torn between Georges and another relationship. Characters: Mina, Georges Location: Normandy

Mina's pursuit of another relationship contributes to the collapse of her marriage. The situation places financial and emotional strain on Tommy.

Family Strain Emerges — The failing marriage creates financial and emotional strain for the family. Characters: Mina, Georges, Tommy Location: Normandy
Tommy Faces Strain — Tommy copes with his parents' failing marriage. Characters: Tommy, Mina, Georges Location: Normandy
Tommy's First Feelings — Tommy navigates his own first romantic feelings. Characters: Tommy Location: Normandy
Marriage Collapse — Mina's new relationship contributes to the collapse of the family marriage. Characters: Mina, Georges, Tommy Location: Normandy

Story Breakdown

Normandy Family Setting — The story begins in Normandy in 1962 with Mina, Georges, and their son Tommy.
- 1962 Normandy — The story is set in Normandy during 1962.
- Family Of Three — Mina and Georges have a son named Tommy.
Long Marriage History — Mina and Georges have shared fifteen years of marriage.
- Fifteen Married Years — Mina has been married to Georges for fifteen years.
- Earlier Love — Mina used to be very much in love with Georges.
Changing Household Roles — Mina works part-time while Georges is unemployed before taking bridge-site work.
- Mina Works Part-Time — Mina is a part-time domestic worker.
- Georges Finds Work — Georges takes a job at a remote bridge construction site.
Dying Marital Passion — The initial romantic passion of Mina and Georges's marriage fades.
- Passion Fades — The passion of their marriage has died out.
- Marriage Under Pressure — The failing marriage becomes a central family problem.
Mina's New Love — Mina meets someone new and falls in love with him.
- New Interest Appears — Mina meets a new romantic interest.
- Love Reawakens — Mina falls in love with the new romantic interest.
Family Crisis — Mina's divided romantic life affects Georges and Tommy.
- Mina Feels Torn — Mina is emotionally torn between Georges and another relationship.
- Tommy Faces Strain — Tommy copes with the financial and emotional strain of his parents' failing marriage.