PG Wodehouse Plot Style

Post date: 2018-01-18 11:32:12

A friend and I were talking about literary critique, you know, like you do. And when we talked about conflict and resolution in writing, I mentioned a plot structure used a lot by PG Wodehouse. They'd never heard of it. Is this a thing? what's it called?

Basically, I'm looking for a term in a comedy piece where you have multiple problems, that all seem insurmountable, but it turns out that Problem A is actually the answer to Problem B. Problem B is really the answer to Problem C, and Problem C fixes Problem A.

Simple non-wodehouse example...In Office Space, Michael's problem is that he's going to be caught for embezzling. Milton's problem is that he isn't being respected or even...paid by the company. Milton burning down the building hides Michael's crime. Mike's theft pays for Milton to get away.

Does this have a name? It's a thing right? I didn't just make it up, did I?

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