Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket at eNotes

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," if Finney chose to focus only on the external conflict, and had not included internal conflict, how would the story be affected?

Your question is asking for a bit of speculation on the reader’s part. If the internal conflict is removed from Jack Finney’s short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” it becomes a man versus elements story. Finney’s purpose with his original story is to demonstrate how Tom’s need for recognition and wealth interfere with his understanding of the importance of his relationship with his wife, and an appreciation for what...

In the story, Tom finds himself on the ledge after a piece of paper documenting his research on grocery-store displays flies out the window. As he balances himself on the ledge, Tom contemplates his absurd and precarious position. In his mind, it is absolutely imperative that he retrieves the piece of paper. If he abandons his efforts, he knows that he will need at least two months to duplicate the results of his extensive fieldwork. Although...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, how does Tom force himself to concentrate?

In Jack Finney’s short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket,” Tom Benecke uses a number of techniques to force himself to concentrate as he retrieves his paper from the ledge high above Lexington Avenue. After he goes out the window, and begins to move across the ledge, he realizes he has to move without putting much thought into his actions. He simply did not permit himself to look down, though the compulsion to do so never left...

What is Tom working on in "Contents of a Daed Man's Pockets"?

How can you relate irony to the setting in "The Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets"?

Jack Finney provides irony in the setting of “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets” by using two contrasting, but symbolic, settings. The story begins in the warm, cozy apartment that Tom Bernecke shares with his lovely wife. The apartment is symbolic of all that is good and stable in his life. In fact, Tom opened the window to let some of the warmth out, and that is when his coveted piece of paper blows onto the ledge of the apartment...

What is Tom working on in "Contents of a Daed Man's Pockets"?

How can you relate irony to the setting in "The Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets"?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, how does Tom force himself to concentrate?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," how is Tom's apartment a symbol that impacts the theme of the story?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," if Finney chose to focus only on the external conflict, and had not included internal conflict, how would the story be affected?

While Tom is looking into his living room with only a “sheet of glass between him and the room just before him,” he thinks of several things to try to get inside. What are they and how do they work out for him?

Describe Tom's progress on the first part of his journey in "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket."

Tom Benecke makes an impulse decision to retrieve his yellow paper from the ledge in Jack Finney’s short story “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets.” He takes a few minutes to examine the circumstances, noting the ledge is as wide as the length of his shoe, before his grabs his coat and climbs out the window. The ledge is perched eleven stories above busy Lexington Avenue in New York City, but Tom is undaunted as he leaves his...

When Tom finally makes it back to the window ledge, both he and the reader feel as though the danger has passed. But his wife won't be home for many hours, the window won't open, it's cold, and it's hard for him to keep his balance on the ledge. How will he get in? First, he tries to smash the window with a large coin, then with his shoe. This doesn't work. Next, he tries shouting for help again. There's no answer. Third, he considers waiting...

How can you relate irony to the setting in "The Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets"?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, how does Tom force himself to concentrate?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," how is Tom's apartment a symbol that impacts the theme of the story?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," if Finney chose to focus only on...

Your question is asking for a bit of speculation on the reader’s part....

In the story, Tom finds himself on the ledge after a piece of paper...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, how does Tom...

In Jack Finney’s short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s...

What is Tom working on in "Contents of a Daed Man's Pockets"?

How can you relate irony to the setting in "The Contents of the Dead...

Jack Finney provides irony in the setting of “The Contents of the Dead...

What is Tom working on in "Contents of a Daed Man's Pockets"?

How can you relate irony to the setting in "The Contents of the Dead...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, how does Tom...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," how is Tom's apartment a symbol...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," if Finney chose to focus only on...

While Tom is looking into his living room with only a “sheet of glass...

Describe Tom's progress on the first part of his journey in "Contents of...

Tom Benecke makes an impulse decision to retrieve his yellow paper from...

When Tom finally makes it back to the window ledge, both he and the...

How can you relate irony to the setting in "The Contents of the Dead...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, how does Tom...

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," how is Tom's apartment a symbol...