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 : The Quest
The Call
After the Civil War has ruined all the main characters' lives and the Yankee soldiers have burned down their home and stolen their possessions (including some slaves), Granny, Bayard, and Ringo head out to recover what they have lost.
The Journey
Bayard and the gang take off on their journey after getting some advice from wise old Uncle Buck. They see many other burned-down homes, pass hundreds of freed slaves who are headed north, and see the wonder of the destroyed railroad near the home of the strangely beautiful Drusilla. They fall into the river after the Yankees explode a bridge and lose their horses. Think that's bad luck? Think again: they run into a lucky cricket in the form of a miscommunication that has them taking back much more than what they lost.
Arrival and Frustration
The family runs a great mule-stealing scam, sometimes stealing and selling back the same mules to the Union army over and over. Unfortunately, before they can make all the money they need, the Union catches on and shuts down their operation.
The Final Ordeals
Granny's death, the hunt for her killers, and the final ordeal (John's death) all require Bayard to grow up and take revenge. The final showdown with Redmond is frightening because Bayard is not prepared to kill the man. In fact, he goes in unarmed. What are you doing, Bayby?? Think of the children!
The Goal
Redmond shoots at Bayard twice, but misses and flees. Which qualifies as a thrilling escape from death, if you ask us. The Princess (a.k.a. Drusilla) has taken off for Alabama, but Bayard is basically in denial about that fact because he can still smell the verbena flowers she used to wear. That is a twist on the Quest plot, but it does show us a new, long life stretching out in Bayard's future with fewer gunfights and more time sitting by the fire.