Part of the exposition of a story or play is the presentation of the initial conflict. Which parts of the excerpt indicate the initial conflict that drives
the story?
DUNHAM: The beverages are getting low, madam -- what with entertaining so much
ELAINE: [In dismay.) But, mother, if you only have twelve people, Father can't sit at the head of the table.
MRS. PRINGLE: But he has to sit at the head. It looks too undignified when the man of the house is pushed to the side -
ELAINE: There's no other way. There must be a woman at each end
MRS. PRINGLE: [Distraught. How absurd! I always forget. Of course, twelve is an impossible number — [She goes around the table looking at the
place cards.) I don't want to put any of these women at the head, there's Mrs. Darby - such a cat -- I wouldn't give her the honor and Mrs. —
The telephone rings.] Answer it, Dunham.