Plot Layers

There's more than one plot going on at a time.

• Objective: what's happening as seen from the outside 
• Main character: what's happening from his point of view 
• Subjective: the main character's growth and self-discovery 

For example, in Star Wars:

• Objective plot: the Rebel Alliance retrieves the Death Star specs, loses Alderaan but blows up the Death Star 
• Main character: Luke starts as a farm boy and becomes a Rebel fighter pilot and hero 
• Subjective: Luke learns about the Force and embraces his heritage as a Jedi. 

The climax of Star Wars works in all three plots: “blow up Death Star” AND “become Rebel hero” AND “Turn off the targeting computer; use the Force, Luke”