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 : Comedy
Shadow of Confusion (No One Knows the Truth)
When Tom and Edward, Prince of Wales, meet they decide to swap roles. But then everything goes terribly wrong: the royal court believes that Tom is the real prince who has gone mad;. Tom's family believes that the prince is really Tom, just a little more insane than before; and no one believes either boy. Even the boys don't know what's going on.
Pressure of Darkness (Everyone Thinks They Know the Truth)
Eventually, the two boys start to get accustomed to their new lives. Tom does so well at pretending to be the prince that everyone believes him. They don't even think he's crazy anymore. Edward even manages to be humble a few times and do things he would never have done before, like wash the dishes. Everyone around the boys is sure they know the truth, but we know that they're all wrong.
Everything Comes to Light (Everyone Finds out the Real Truth)
Finally, the truth is revealed when Prince Edward shows up at the coronation ceremony. He proves that he is the real king, Tom is revealed to be a pauper, and everything is returned to its rightful place. Wrongs are righted, identities are revealed, and all kinds of other good stuff happens. By the end of the book, everything is back to normal again.