Christopher Booker is a scholar who wrote that every story falls into one of seven basic plot structures: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, the Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. Shmoop explores which of these structures fits this story like Cinderella’s slipper.
Plot Type : Tragedy
Anticipation Stage
Santiago is going to die just hours after we meet him. But why? And who is going to kill him?
The tragic hero is normally the one in anticipation, but this time we're the anxious ones. Santiago has no idea what lies ahead for him, but we know that his days are numbered. We're the ones who want to know how this whole story is going to play out. Meanwhile, Santiago just wants to look fancy in front of the Bishop.
Dream Stage
Angela points the finger at Santiago and her brothers decide to kill him. But Santiago's not going to die, right?
Normally, this is where the tragic hero becomes committed to some course of action that changes the whole story. But instead of Santiago, the Vicario brothers are the ones who become committed to act; they have no choice but to kill Santiago and defend their family's honor.
Even though we know that Santiago is going to die, it almost seems impossible since everyone in the town knows about the plot. We still have hope that maybe somehow everything will work out in the end.
Frustration Stage
Everything goes wrong, and Santiago is definitely going to die.
Santiago must be a pretty unlucky guy, because it seems like all of the stars have aligned to make sure that his death happens. No matter how many people are notified, how many warnings are given, or how many times the brothers are stopped, it seems like we are on an inevitable march towards Santiago's death.
Nightmare Stage
The town has failed at its job, and now everyone has to deal with the guilt of Santiago's blood on their hands.
This is the part where the tragic hero loses all control. It seems like fate has taken over and there's nothing to stop the inevitable bad ending. That's exactly what happens here, except it's the town that has lost control. Everyone seems to have simply decided it's inevitable that Santiago will die. The end is in sight and we know it's not going to be pretty.
Destruction Stage
Santiago dies. Finally.
This is the only part of the story that seems to go according to plan. The tragic hero can't avoid his fate and finally dies. Poor Santiago, he just couldn't get a break.