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 : Overcoming the Monster
Overcoming the Monster
Anticipation Stage and "Call"
Okay, we admit that so there aren't any actual monsters in Red Harvest. The Op doesn't have to battle any ogres or sea monsters, but he does have to contend with the several ruthless big shots and corrupt policemen, who are pretty monstrous in our book. The Op doesn't technically have to stay to solve the case (his client is now dead, after all), but he decides to take on the mobsters and clean up the city.
Dream Stage
Initially, the Op's questioning only raises a few eyebrows here and there. No one really thinks the Op's snooping is going to get anywhere, and he doesn't seem to be making much progress in his search. But he is determined to bring down the destructive power of the mobsters, so he ploughs forward on his mission.
Frustration Stage
The Op is right at the center of the storm. If anyone figures out what he's been up to, he could be in some serious trouble. The ruthless mobsters seem to be too busy watching their own backs to worry about the Op, but the Op is definitely rolling the dice here. If he gets caught, his life will be over.
Nightmare Stage
Things are looking pretty bleak for the Op. For one thing, he has a dead body on his hands and he doesn't even know whether or not he's the murderer. For another thing, the police are after him, which means that the Op needs to figure out what happened on the night of Dinah's death while on the run from the cops.
The Thrilling Escape from Death, and the Death of the Monster
When Reno confesses to being the murderer of Dinah, the Op's name has been cleared. He submits his report, and his mission is complete. All the mobsters have killed each other off, and Personville is freed of their destructive influence.