Structure

Aladdin's Lamp is structurally complex, despite being short. It falls well into the common components of a story arc, whereas many of the other popular tales in The Arabian Nights are more episodic in nature. The introduction spans the beginning section up until Aladdin begins to use the lamp. In the introduction, we learn of his poverty and meet the mysterious stranger claiming to be his uncle and promising him a wealthy future. The rising action begins as soon as Aladdin returns home from the cave; he and his mother grow rich thanks to the genie, their good fortune culminating in his marriage to the sultan's daughter. The climax occurs when the magician steals the lamp and takes the princess and the palace to Africa, and the falling action occurs quickly after that, as Aladdin defeats the magician and eventually faces his wicked brother as well. Finally, the story reaches its resolution as they live happily ever after in prosperity. This is a great story to use as an illustration of the typical story arc, and goes to show that conflict and resolution can be crafted even in a short text. This is also a notably Western story arc, suggesting perhaps that Galland shaped the story somewhat after hearing it.