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 : Voyage and Return
Anticipation Stage and 'Fall' into the Other World
When we begin the novel, John's world has been turned upside down by the death of his grandfather and the subsequent loss of the ranch, which has been his whole world during his young life. With his mother distant and his father dying, he doesn't seem to be able to rely on his family. Without anything in particular to do or anywhere to go, and with no clear explanation or rationale, he rides his horse south to Mexico with his best friend Lacey Rawlins.
Initial Fascination or Dream Stage
The land they travel is rather barren, and while they seem to enjoy riding and hunting, there are ominous signs about. Though they encounter friendly strangers in their travels, they also pick up another American, Blevins.
Frustration Stage
Blevins rides an obviously stolen horse, gets on Rawlins' nerves, and has a habit of lying and being defensive. Eventually, when he loses the horse and ropes the other boys into stealing it back, it becomes clear how mixed up they've become in the trouble that surrounds Blevins. As they get shot at and are driven from the town of Encantada, they can only ponder what they've gotten into.
Second Dream Stage
There is a second dream-like stage as the boys are introduced to the world of the hacienda, and find a pleasant life there. It is particularly nice for John, as his budding romance with Alejandra forms the primary action of this section of the novel. Get ready to swoon.
Nightmare Stage
The developments from the Frustration Stage come back to haunt the boys, as they are hauled off to prison as Blevins' accomplices and get to witness his execution. After they get sent to the big prison to the south in Saltillo, they must constantly fight for their very survival. Things look very dark for them as Rawlins gets stabbed and John starts to think he will never make it out of there alive.
Thrilling Escape and Return
After John and Rawlins get bailed out from prison by the Dueña Alfonsa, the action of the novel isn't over yet. John makes another play at Alejandra's affection, but she keeps her promise to Alfonsa to stop seeing John. John feels great despair, but the novel doesn't dwell on this. Instead, John takes action to get his horses back from the town where the boys were initially imprisoned.
He also takes the prison captain who abused them and killed Blevins hostage, shooting it out with his pursuers and hightailing it back to the American border. In the end, however, he no longer belongs in Texas, and the world there seems strange to him. The action of the novel closes with John wandering off into the blood-red Texas sun.