Lord Jim as Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis: Tragedy Plot

Plot Type :

Anticipation Stage

Seafaring and Storytelling

Jim begins his career at sea and Marlow begins telling his story. Though Jim shows a lot of promise early on, we start getting hints about impending doom from the get-go.

Dream Stage

Waiting Game

Jim starts service aboard the Patna and Marlow first sees Jim at his trial. It's the calm before the storm; Jim hasn't been sentenced yet, and we're not quite sure what he has done wrong in the first place. It's only a matter of time, though, before we find out.

Frustration Stage

Patna Problems

Jim tells Marlow what happened on the Patna, and our curiosity is finally satisfied. Jim is totally ashamed of his public disgrace, and Marlow decides to help the poor kid.

Nightmare Stage

Odd Jobs

After his trial, no matter where Jim goes, he can't seem to escape his shameful past. It's a real low point, but he keeps on trucking.

Destruction or Death Wish Stage

Patusan Problems

Jim finally finds some peace of mind on the remote island of Patusan, but that all takes a turn for the worse when Gentleman Brown arrives and stirs up some serious trouble. After attempting to fend of Brown, and make a deal with him, Jim winds up dead at the hands of his father-figure Doramin, because he feels responsible for Doramin's son's death.