Answer questions'' toenails''

Toenails Toenails Opening/Exposition: The story is about the train of thoughts of the narrator regarding the concept of burn out. For that matter, every Wednesday, he takes a break from his work as a doctor and goes to the library to read. He is even amazed with the library crowd who are always present there and he even dreams of being a part of that group when he retires. In my own opinion, he may mean it if he really loves reading and he may really want to be a part of such group when he retires because as a doctor he would be bored and feel restricted if he would not be able to at least keep an activity after the very active and energy demanding vocation.
Inciting Incident:
The narrator was pointing out the need of young doctors to take a break and refresh themselves. He observed that due to the high level of energy of young doctors, the work really hard and continuously. In this case most are burnt out early leading to giving up or hating the profession that they worked hard for. He even explained that a person should know the importance of his or her own self like a priest, it is important to nourish his faith so that he can help others strengthen theirs.
Mid-point:
The narrator had special nicknames to every member of the library regulars and Neckerchief became his friend. One day when he noticed that Neckerchief is wincing as he walks, he discovered that he has toenail problem. He then decided to get the toenail cutters from the hospital, bring it to the library and cut his friend’s toenails. This act revealed that even during breaks, the narrator cannot put his vocation on pause. His dedication to the need of patients or people can be observed in his every action.
In terms of the conversation with the nurse, it can be presumed that they have a friendship that can be based on working together a long time. Also, the nurse can be older than the narrator since a parental care even while teasing and joking can be observed.
Climax:
The climax is the part wherein Neckerchief felt relief due to the fact that he can walk better and with less pain after his toenails were cut. This led to the decision of the narrator to help all the people in his “ library group.”
Theme:
The plot of the short story revolves around the doctor who recognizes the need to take a break from work to be able to refresh himself in order to fully and optimally help his patients by going to a library and fulfill his love for reading. In the process though, he still was able to help more people by being a person who really cares about his patients, and other people in need of assistance.
Truth Value:
The theme represents the truth of how demanding and stressful life is and experiencing burn out feelings is inevitable. In such events, it is important to have individuals who really care such as the narrator in the story.
Reference
Selzer, R. Toenails.