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 : Pninian
Pnin's story is just too weird to be categorized.
If you try to fit Pnin into one of Booker's seven basic plots, you'll find out it's like a puzzle piece that just doesn't fit. Something about it is always a little off.
You might be tempted to think that Pnin is a comedy since the main character is often confused, and it's a pretty funny story. The only problem is a comedy has to have a happy ending where all of the misunderstandings are resolved. Nothing is ever resolved for poor Pnin, and his ending is definitely not happy.
Okay then, so what about a tragedy? Those have sad endings and no resolutions. But we have more problems. Pnin doesn't die, and he doesn't make any bad choices that lead him to his inevitable doom. So there's no way he can be a tragic hero. Plus, aren't those supposed to be dashing? Pnin ain't no Romeo…
Let's try one more thing. What about a quest? You could say that Pnin is on a quest for his own American dream, but this model still doesn't work out. There is no call, no journey, no return home (even with that drive into the sunset). Nada. Nyet. Nope, not a quest.
So what is Pnin? Well, obviously it's a very Pninian story. Thanks a lot, Mr. Nabokov.