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.
We've analyzed "Was" here. Have a look and give "Delta Autumn" or "Go Down, Moses" a shot.
Act I
The McCaslin twins' slave Tomey's Turl runs off to the Beauchamp plantation to see his beau Tennie. Buck and Buddy McCaslin would rather avoid the Beauchamp siblings (Hubert's a bore, Sophonsiba wants to marry Buck), but it's better to go there than to have them come to their house. Buck takes little nephew Cass and goes off after Tomey's Turl. Hubert and Buck bet $500 on when and where they'll catch Turl.
Act II
Turl keeps evading Hubert and Buck who keep arguing and changing their bets. Night comes, everyone's tired and goes to sleep at Hubert's. Except for Buck and Cass, that is, who stay up talking. They can't find their way back to their guest room, so they walk into a room in the dark and lie down. Only it's Sophonsiba's room and she starts to scream. It's a golden opportunity for Hubert to insist that Buck marry his sister and get her out of his house. How are they going to get out of this one? Why, with more betting and poker of course. Buck loses. He'll have to marry Sophonsiba.
Act III
But hope is not lost. Cass goes to get Buddy, who's a star poker player. They play again. He wins. Cass, Buck, Buddy, Tomey's Turl and Tennie (who was part of the deal) all return to the McCaslin's. Happy ending.