Jane Rule uses humor to develop the conflict in the story by the way she created Harry’s and Anna’s argument. She had it so that Harry was frustrated and strongly desired an ordinary life while Anna kept working and acted as if everything was no big deal and was going to okay. Rule switched the gender roles in the story, making Harry act as if a woman would, wanting to settle down, this is an example of situational irony. Harry also struggled and did anything that he could to buy the new house and ends up not liking it, this is also situational irony. At first, Harry and his family lived in a small, unconventional apartment, which resulted in Harry making huge changes to live a middle class, middle aged life. These changes included selling his boat and trading in his car for a different one. As the story progressed, Harry began to second guess himself and his actions, especially after he sells their boat. By the end of the story, Harry starts to have acceptance with the house as well as the fact that not everyone is meant to be “ordinary”. These all happened during the introduction, rising action and conclusion.