Three-Act Plot Analysis

For a three-act plot analysis, put on your screenwriter’s hat. Moviemakers know the formula well: at the end of Act One, the main character is drawn in completely to a conflict. During Act Two, she is farthest away from her goals. At the end of Act Three, the story is resolved.

Act I

Act I takes us through the peaceful Summer session at Devon and ends right about the time Finny declares his best-friendship for Gene and Gene decides to kindly NOT return the favor. At this point, we're pretty much tied to the whole jealousy-fear-resentment plot line.

Act II

Act II then follows said jealousy-fear-resentment plotline all the way through Gene's machinations and discovery of Finny as better-than-he. It ends when things are at their worst – when Finny falls from the tree.

Act III

The rest of the novel makes up Act III: all the suspicions, guilt, and identity-switcheroos – you know the drill. It ends with Gene reflecting, fifteen years later, on the lessons from his friendship with Finny and those years at Devon, and how they infused his experiences in WWII and beyond.