Narration

"Leaving the Yellow House" is told chronologically. The beginning of the story gives relevant background about Hattie, and then the story shifts to an unfolding of the plot—Hattie's breaking her arm, her need for assistance, and her feelings of isolation. At the end of the story, Hattie seems about to embark on a crucial decision—who will inherit the yellow house—but she cannot follow through with completing this action; the decision she does make— to leave the house to herself—emphasizes that the story resides in the character's development rather than in any plot development. Indeed, in his study of Saul Bellow, Robert F. Kiernan called "Leaving the Yellow House" "[m]ore portrait than story."

Hattie also spends a significant amount of time reflecting on her past. She envisions her life as playing before her as if on a movie screen...