Story questions...
-Where is the story set?
The story is set in Los Angeles, California, mainly in the greeting card company where the characters work, but also in their homes and in parks.
-What even starts the story?
The event that starts the story is when Tom is introduced to his boss' new assistant, Summer Finn.
-Who are the main characters?
The main characters are:
*Tom Hansen: NJ-born greeting card employee and aspiring architect
*Summer Finn: Tom's boss' new assistant from Michigan, who is Tom's love interest
-What conflicts do they face/what is at steak?
Tom is in love with Summer, but Summer refuses to put a label on their relationship. This causes Tom confusion and disappointment throughout the movie.
-What happens the characters as they face the conflict?
Tom and Summer have many disagreements and misunderstandings throughout the story. Their first main fight is when Tom punches a guy at a bar for trying to hit on Summer. Summer feels pressure from Tom about labeling the relationship, and Tom gets his heart broken many times while trying to figure out where he stands with her.
-What is the outcome of the conflict?
In the end, Summer finally falls in love... with someone else. After seeing Summer's ring, Tom slowly but surely moves on.
-What is the ultimate impact on the characters?
The ultimate impact on the Tom is that he is able to get over Summer, and meets a new girl (Autumn) at the end of the movie. Summer is able to realize that Tom was right all along about love and destiny, she just hadn't found the right person.
Plot questions...
-How and when is the major conflict in the story set up?
The major conflict comes up when Summer bluntly tells Tom that she's not looking for a relationship/ boyfriend the first time they are hanging out alone.
-How and when are the main characters introduced?
The main characters are introduced by an omniscient narrator that reveals their lives before they meet in the greeting card office, including tidbits about their experiences with love.
-How is the story moved along the characters must face the central conflict?
The story moves along by showing events of Tom and Summer's 500 day relationship in random order (nonlinear). There are many hints that Tom is not the one Summer will end up with as she mentions throughout the film that she doesn't want a boyfriend. Tom talks to his friends about Summer's mixed signals every time a new incident occurs.
-When is the major conflict set up to propel the film conclusion?
The major conflict is set up when Tom sees Summer's engagement ring at her rooftop garden party. He had expected them to get back together, but Summer had found somebody else and committed to them.
-How and when does the film resolve most of the major conflicts set up?
The film resolves when Tom moves on with his life after realizing he can never have Summer. After quitting the greeting card company Tom begins looking for work as an architect, the job he had always aspired for but never went after. One day he runs into Summer in the park that they used to go to, and gets the closure he needed when Summer says he was never the one for her. Soon after, Tom interviews at an architecture firm and meets a new girl in the waiting room ironically named Autumn.
