Any story is about the relationship of an individual to society. A comic story describes an isolated individual achieving social integration either by being accepted into an existing society or by forming his own. This integration is often symbolized by a wedding or feast. The plot should keep us in some degree of suspense about what kind of story we're reading. If we know the hero is doomed, his downfall should stem from a factor we know about but have not given sufficient weight to.
Ironic plots subvert their surface meanings.
The hero must eventually take charge of events. In any plot the hero is passive for a time, reacting to events. At some point he must try to take charge. This is the counterthrust, when the story goes into high gear. Plot dramatizes character.