Plot & Structure Lesson, The Destructors Plot and Analysis

1. Plot & Structure Lesson, The Destructors Plot and Analysis Matt Coyne

2. What are they? • Plot: The sequence of incidents or events through which an author constructs a story • Structure: the arrangement of plot elements such as suspense, mystery, twists etc. • 3 Major Aspects: -rising action -climax -falling action KEY: The plot is NOT the action, it is the way the author ARRANGES the action (It is like a map that the reader follows to the end of a story)

3. Why are they Important? • Multiple Uses: Commercial: -Plot and structure are used for ENTERTAINMENT purposes (A simple structure, and a straightforward plot with action and lots of twists; commercial works are not meant to make the reader think too much) Literary: Plot and structure are used to convey complex, deeper meanings (ex. Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 have a complex plot and structure) Analysis Tip: It’s better to look at the FUNCTION of the plot rather than the structure when examining meaning and significance in the story

4. The Destructors BLUF • The destructors is an allegorical tale that takes place in a post-WWII, ravaged England • Characters stand for symbolic figures in WWII, as well as abstract ideas (refer to Character Analysis slide) • Structure: complex (Everything is arranged for a specific reason to convey themes) • Plot line: Simple -Introduces the gang -Gang gains new member -T. (new member) suggests destroying Old Misery’s house -Gang hollows Old Misery’s house -Gang traps Old Misery in an outhouse and finishes the destruction of the house -Gang flees and Old Misery’s house falls

5. Character Analysis/Symbolic Significance • Blackie: Oldest and initial leader of the Wormsley Common Gang, he later defers to T.'s leadership when the gang destroys Old Misery's house. He represents the former Kaiser of Germany prior to Hitler’s rise. • T.: A quiet, reserved, calculating, contemplative kid who eventually succeeds Blackie as the leader of the gang. He is the one responsible for the destruction of the house. He represents Adolf Hitler because he assumes power over the gang, and leads them through the entirety of the destruction of Old Misery's house. • Mike: Youngest member of the Wormsley Common Gang; he is the symbol of innocence and purity within the story "I've got to go to church." (Greene 116) • Summers: Voice of the masses in the story; questions “..Why did we start this this” (Greene 119) because he, like the other members of the gang are just swept up in T’s leadership, much like the people of Germany were swept up by Hitler's charisma. • Thomas: Also known as Old Misery by the Wormsley Common Gang, he is an older English gentleman whose house is destroyed by the gang. He represents the old English generation that has seen England's beauty and glory prior to WWII. • KEY:The kids have no ill feelings towards Thomas at all; the destruction of his house is only personal to him b/c the house represents the old England that no longer exists.

6. Themes • War’s negative effects on generations • Childhood delinquency • Destructive human nature

7. The Destructors/Plot and Structure Recap -Story is a microcosm of post WWII England that highlights characteristics of chaos, destruction and disarray. -Allegory: Characters resemble WWII figures, as well as people and abstract ideas -Literary work -this means that everything, even the plot is arranged, and conveyed in a certain way for a reason; in this case, it is arranged to convey the aforementioned themes -Plot is not the action, simply the ARRANGEMENT of the action