Death on the Installment Plan is a reflective narrative where the protagonist, Ferdinand, revisits his turbulent childhood and adolescent years. Through his eyes, the harsh realities of his upbringing and his resultant outlook on life are unveiled. The story begins with Ferdinand, now a cynical doctor, surrounded by desolation, both in his profession and within himself.

The Disillusionment of Ferdinand

At the Linuty Foundation Clinic, Ferdinand is engulfed in an atmosphere of illness and moral decay. His cousin, a fellow doctor, is succumbing to liver cirrhosis, while his typist aspires to become an abortionist. Amidst this bleakness, Ferdinand himself is seriously ill. It is during an intense argument with his mother—not a nurturing visit—that Ferdinand's childhood memories surface, setting the stage for the narrative’s flashbacks.

A Disturbing Childhood

Ferdinand’s childhood is far from idyllic. He lives in a squalid Parisian apartment in a glass-covered passage, devoid of love and comfort. His father, Auguste, is an unfulfilled insurance clerk who takes out his frustrations on Ferdinand with verbal and physical abuse. Though his mother, Clemence, has aspirations for him, she offers little beyond nagging, leaving Ferdinand emotionally bereft. His grandmother, Caroline, shows him rare kindness, secretly gifting him an Illustrated Adventure Stories book, sparking his imagination. Despite the affection from Uncle Edouard, the rest of his family and neighbors remain indifferent, pushing Ferdinand further into isolation. Traumatic incidents often leave him physically sick and emotionally scarred, save for a brief respite during a family trip to Dieppe, which ends with a near-death experience.

Adolescent Struggles

Ferdinand’s academic performance is unremarkable, but he manages to complete elementary school. His search for work in Paris is fraught with exploitation and disappointment. His first job as a stockboy ends in termination, as does his role as a jeweler's clerk, complicated by the jeweler's wife's false accusations after their illicit affair. Ferdinand faces relentless scolding from his parents, leading to a period of profound distress. In a bid to improve his prospects, his parents accept a loan from Uncle Edouard, sending him to Meanwell College in England to learn English.

Experiences Abroad

At Meanwell College, Ferdinand spends eight months in solitude, communicating only with a fellow outcast, Jongkind. Despite his isolation, the environment is a slight improvement over his home life. The college, run by the stern Principal Merrywin, is on the brink of financial ruin. Ferdinand becomes enchanted by the principal’s wife, Nora, whose subsequent suicide profoundly impacts him, marking his transition into adolescence. The college collapses, and Ferdinand returns to Paris, leaving behind a world no more comforting than the one he left.

Returning to Paris

Back in Paris, Ferdinand's attempts to secure employment once again fail. His strained relationship with his father culminates in violence, resulting in Ferdinand being cast out of his home. Uncle Edouard steps in once more, introducing him to the eccentric Courtial des Pereires. Courtial, an inventor and editor, becomes a central figure in Ferdinand’s life. Together, they embark on ambitious yet ill-fated projects, including electrified agriculture and a reform school for troubled children. Ultimately, these ventures collapse, and Courtial's despair leads him to suicide.

A New Chapter

Ferdinand finds himself once more adrift. Uncle Edouard, ever supportive, offers him shelter and encouragement. Despite his gratitude, Ferdinand is determined not to impose on his uncle or his estranged parents. Now on the cusp of adulthood, Ferdinand resolves to join the army, paving the way for the next phase of his life, as chronicled in Céline’s earlier work, Journey to the End of the Night.