Stella G. Short Story Proposal

Exposition

Bowen and Meino are born to a large upper middle class family in the summer of 1895 in Munich, Germany. Growing up indulged with the many pleasures that came from the wealth of their father, the brothers are naïve and selfish. Taught that the German empire is the only one fit to be a world power, these twin boys grow up surrounded by a world of propaganda and lies.

Inciting Incident

When the Kaiser declares war on Russia in 1914, both Bowen and Meino jump at the chance to serve their country. Meino, with a background in science and technology, is able to land a well-paying spot in an engineering lab researching poisonous gases as a possible military weapon. Bowen, unable to attain a high ranking job like his brother, becomes a Lieutenant in the first battalion.

Rising Action

No longer filled with patriotic thoughts about Germany, Bowen returns home from the front when he is wounded. He discovers that he cannot connect with Meino, who still talks adoringly of the scientific advances that have done wonders for the military, and even Bowen. Finding it difficult to believe that just three years ago he had been alike Meino himself, Bowen berates his brother harshly about his insensitive attitude toward the soldiers in the war. Bowen leaves two months later when there is an urgent call for more soldiers at the front.

Climax

During what later becomes known as the Third Battle of the Aisne, Bowen is inflicted with burns from the poison gas drop on British and French lines. The battalion is unable to send him to a hospital, and Bowen suffers from mustard gas poisoning until he passes away two weeks later.

Falling Action

Meino, after receiving word on his brother at the front, swears revenge on the Allied armies. Dedicating himself to further research, he promises to avenge his brother and bring suffering onto those who took Bowen away from him and his family, unknowing that the fruit of his own work is what brought his brothers demise.

Resolution

Drunk on revenge, Meino continuously works on engineering weapons of destruction throughout World War I and II. When faced with the possibility that it was his own creations that killed Bowen, he's unable to accept the truth. 

Note: The exposition, inciting incident, rising action, and climax are all disclosed through flashbacks. Only the falling action and resolution are told while they are happening.