Plot
In the story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the reader soon discovers that this “whether this anachronism had any bearing on the astonish history [the narrator is] about to set down will never be known” (page 5). The story begins when the reader discovers Mr. Buttons first born child is anything but a normal baby boy. Born as an elderly old man presented many conflicts for the Button family. Mr. Button's shame of his son forced him to hide and disguise Benjamin as a way to keep some normality in his child. Benjamin grew up with this idea to pretend to be a person he was not meant to be. Once he is old enough and comfortable in his own skin, he starts to live a relatively normal life by marrying Hildegarde. After this event the plot of this story seems to be going in reverse, as Benjamin begins to grow younger. This suspenseful portion of the story provokes many questions as to his future. The connection that Benjamin and his wife once shared is diminishing both because of the reason Benjamin is growing younger as she is growing older. His life ultimately ends in such a way as every other persons life begins: “it was all dark, and his white crib and the dim faces that moved above him, and the warm sweet aroma of the milk, faded out altogether from his mind” page 62. .
Point of View
This story is told in first person by a narrator who only speaks to the audience in the first paragraph. The narrator opens up the story in a way as to advise the readers of how this story was seen back in 1860. This unnamed narrator “shall tell you what occurred, and let you judge for yourself” (page 5). Throughout the rest of the story, it seems to be told in third person omniscient. The story is being described to the reader and we can learn about every characters actions and feeling, while also learning about the time period. This allows the readers to attain more knowledge of these facts that otherwise we would not be able to know, thus forcing the story to loose a valuable aspect. Once Rodger Button passes away, Benjamin turns to rely on his own child for his well being as he begins to lose the ability to care for himself. With Rodger gone at this point and if he was the narrator, the story would simply end there of vice versa, if the narrator was Rosco.
Characterization
In this story, Fitzgerald uses an abundance amount of characterization. From the instant Benjamin was born, he is described to the reader. He had “sparse hair was almost white, and from his chin dripped a long smoke-colored beard, which waved absurdly back and forth, fanned by the breeze coming in at the window” (page 9). As a young child, Benjamin was then forced to shave off the beard and to dye his hair in an attempt to disguise him as a young boy. His marriage with Hildegarde, after the years had passed between them, she is then described as her appearance began to change. “Her honey-colored hair became an unexciting brown, the blue enamel of her eyes assumed the aspect of cheap crockery--moreover, and, most of all, she had become too settled in her ways, too placid, too content, too anemic in her excitements, and too sober in her taste” (page 40).
Setting
The setting of this story takes place in Baltimore, Maryland. During this time, when Benjamin is born, the Civil War is taking place. The Roger Buttons held an enviable position, both social and financial, in ante-bellum Baltimore” (page 5). Due to their Wholesale Hardware Factory, the Button family was of extremely important during the years of 1860 to the early nineteen hundreds. The factory was also of importance to the Button family as it was passed down from generation to generation. Throughout a majority or Benjamin's life he remain there in Maryland. As a child he lives with his father and mother up until he attempts to enroll at Yale University. “At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898 his home had for him so little charm that he decided to join the army” (page 40). After his term in the Army he returns home once more, yet leaves once more to go to college at Harvard University where he was only accepted for the first year. He then lives out the rest of his years with Rosco and his family in Maryland as well.
Theme
There are many themes through out the course of this story. Make the most of life because life is ever changing is one of them. Even though Benjamin's condition causes many difficult times in his life including an initial rejection from his father, a rejection from Yale, and also losing his wife. As he grows, he has the ability to experience new things as others around him lose this ability and become elderly. Benjamin is still able to make the most of the life he was given and is able to enjoy it. This condition he has makes it impossible for anyone to relate to him for the reason that his condition is extremely rare. Yet, he also has a relatable aspect to him. This is seen through how he lives his life to the fullest and is a strong person makes him seem like a normal born person. There is no person who has the ability to know what to expect from him as the years go by. It is a new experience for every person around him. When he is born, the Button's plan to take him home like every other newborn, in a blanket. Benjamin then responds by saying that “if you think I'm going to walk home in this blanket, you're entirely mistaken” (page 13). His family must make assumptions of how to raise an elderly man as a new born child. This is as similar as to any new family with their new child only they have others to turn to. The Button's had no one, yet they love him just the same. Family will always be there for each other.
