* Introduction of the Narrator's Obsession: The story begins with the narrator, Egaeus, describing his deep-seated, unhealthy fascination with Berenice, his cousin. This fascination borders on obsession, with him focusing on her teeth and their peculiar beauty.
* Berenice's Illness: We learn that Berenice is suffering from a wasting disease, gradually losing her physical strength and mental faculties. This illness intensifies the narrator's obsession and fuels his morbid fascination with her teeth.
* The Narrator's Descent into Mania: As Berenice's condition worsens, the narrator's obsession escalates into a state of near-madness. He becomes consumed by thoughts of her teeth, spending sleepless nights obsessing over their whiteness and perfection.
* Berenice's Death: Berenice eventually dies. This event is described with a clinical detachment, highlighting the narrator's emotional detachment and the growing detachment from reality.
* The Narrator's Delusions: The narrator becomes increasingly detached from reality and experiences hallucinations. He believes he hears Berenice's voice calling him, and he becomes fixated on the idea that her teeth must be preserved.
* The Climactic Act: The narrator's obsession culminates in a gruesome act. He breaks into Berenice's crypt, disinterrs her body, and removes her teeth, driven by his morbid desire to possess her beauty.
* The Final Descent into Madness: The story ends with the narrator confessing his act, suggesting that he has fully succumbed to madness.
It's important to note that Poe doesn't use a traditional plot structure with a clear rising action, climax, and falling action. Instead, the rising action is more gradual and subtle, as the narrator's obsession consumes him and leads to his descent into madness.