Several authors have attempted to identify a defined number of basic plots available to any creative writer. The following summarises the essential detail of 7 Basic Plots of Literature and offers an example for each of the 7 types of plot. You may or may not agree with the following summary. The 1927 novel To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, where the plot is secondary to its philosophical introspection, appears to fall outside of this list.
Plot 1: Overcoming The Monster
Basic format
Superhuman “evil” exists that must be eliminated
Form of giant or witch
Form of ravaging animal
Could take the form of both
Threatens the general peace of town village or world
Reward may be great prizes
Reward may be a princess
Hero must confront the Monster
Generally armed with some “magical” weapons
Generally happens near monster’s lair (cave, forest, castle, lake)
Generally happens against great odds against success
Destruction seems inevitable
When the hero narrowly escapes death
Monster is slain
Universal peace restored
Example of ‘Overcoming The Monster’
BEOWOLF
Story told in three parts
Young Beowulf against (semi-‐human) Grendel – Monster threatening peace
Travels from over the sea
Deals a mortal wound (in a night-‐battle)
Young Beowulf against Grendel’s Mother – Monster seeking revenge
Tracks Grendel’s blood to find a bigger battle awaiting
Battle ensues at bottom of lake
Beowulf wins: awarded riches and kingdom for 50 years
Old Beowulf against Dragon
Dragon guards treasure in underground cave (roused from sleep)
Awakens and wreaks havoc on Beowulf’s kingdom
Three battles: Beowulf dies in third battle (poisoned)
Christian Symbolism
Hero dies, but slays his enemy
Aided in victory by a helper, who becomes his successor
The Number 3
His spirit lies over the land: “soul leaves the body to receive the reward of the ‘just’
Plot 2: Rags To Riches
Basic format
Hero/Heroine introduced in childhood
Living in lowly conditions (poor, isolated)
Considered lowly and, as of yet, unformed socially, physically
Live in the shadows of “Dark Figure”
Adult figures acting as parents
Antagonists close in age
Both are scornful, hard-‐hearted, or blind
“Dark vs. Light”
Light character is always essentially good
Light character is generally static – stays the same throughout the story
Dark figures made uneasy by Light, or they disappear in the story
Transformation
Move from inward beauty to outward beauty
Meet a complimentary figure (male, female)
Inherit some sort of “Kingdom”
Basic Crisis
Low-‐born follows a Call – “newly discovered power/purpose”