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 : Tragedy
The Leopard might not be what you think of as a typical tragedy, with all of the bloody battles and unfortunate coincidences. But it does align with the definition of tragedy: and has a hero that falls (with a thud) from grace. The Leopard is the story of how a proud Prince stands back and watches as his family loses all of its royal prestige and eventually sinks into obscurity. Unlike most tragic figures, the guy doesn't even put up a fight.
Dream Stage
When we first meet Prince Fabrizio (our tragic hero), the wheels are already in motion for his country to collapse—and his royal status along with it. Instead of hopping on a horse and fighting the enemies, though, the Prince goes to visit one of his mistresses in the evening and spends the rest of his time awaiting the inevitable. He is frustrated by the fact that he's going to leave no family legacy. But he also feels as if there's nothing worth protecting in the old Sicilian aristocracy.
Frustration Stage
The novel switches briefly to comedy when Fabrizio's nephew Tancredi falls in love with the beautiful Angelica and becomes engaged to her. The narrator informs us, though, that this marriage will turn out to be not all that great. That's Mr. Narrator, you killjoy. Meanwhile, Prince Fabrizio feels the cold hand of time dragging its bony fingers across his face.
He spends almost every waking moment thinking about how he's getting older and weaker. He's frustrated, but can't think of any way to prevent what's happening. Like people, old families are destined to wither and die eventually.
Nightmare Stage
A foreign political official visits Fabrizio to ask whether he'd consider becoming a senator in the new Italian government. Fabrizio is too proud to go from being a prince to a senator, though. He rejects the offer and decides to live the rest of his life spending his family's old money and feeling bored. Both he and his family no longer have a future, and he decides that wallowing is the best option. C'mom, Fab: go for a jog or something. Get those endorphins pumping.
Destruction or Death Wish Stage
Sixteen years following the unification of Italy, Prince Fabrizio dies from a series of strokes. He finds himself ready to die. There's barely anything left of his former pride and he can't see any reason to go on living. In his final moments, he sees an angelic Venus standing at the edge of his bed and feels comfort in the thought that death will prevent him from worrying anymore. The novel continues for a while after his death, but its message remains the same: a certain way of life has ended, and there is nothing left for the survivors of former times.