The Family Under the Bridge



Carlson, N. S., & Williams, G. (1958). The family under the bridge . New York: Harper.

The Family Under the Bridge  is a 1959 Newbery Honor Book.

Exposition:

Armand is a hobo living in Paris, when he meets a family living under the bridge where he usually stays. 

Conflict:

Madam Calcett and her children, Paul, Suzy, and Evelyn are homeless.  Armand swore he would not open his heart to them, but soon he wishes to help them (Armand's internal conflict).

Rising Action:

Armand takes the children to visit Father Christmas, where they ask for a house for Christmas.  He also takes them begging while their mother is gone to work.  When she finds out, she gets angry because she is too proud to take help from anyone.  Armand leaves the bridge, but later he saves the children from being taken away from their mother.  He brings the family to live with the Gypsies.  The children are dissapointed when they do not get a house for Christmas.

Climax:

Armand convinces Madam Calcett to let her help her pay for a place to live for the children.  He decides he must get a job.

Falling Action:

Armand cleans up and goes in search of a job.  He checks on a job he heard about as a night watchman.  He finds out later that it is a job as a caretaker instead.

Resolution:

Armand gets the job as a caretaker, which includes lodgng for his new family.

Literary Elements:

This story contains a great deal of imagery and figurative language.  The description of Armand and his surroundings are very interesting and detailed.  Also, I enjoyed the detail and figurative language used to describe how Armand tries to protect his heart from the children.  Allusion to well-known places in Paris is also an important element to the story.