Christopher Booker, a British author and journalist, wrote a book titled “The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories,” published in 2004. In this extensive work, Booker explores the idea that all stories can be categorized into seven archetypal plots. According to Booker, these seven basic plots are deeply rooted in human experience and have been repeated throughout literature and storytelling across cultures and time periods.
The seven basic plots identified by Booker are:
- Overcoming the Monster: The protagonist faces a great evil or monstrous antagonist and must overcome it to save themselves and others. This can be seen in stories like Beowulf or Jaws.
- Rags to Riches: The central character starts in a lowly state and rises to success, wealth, and happiness. Classic examples include Cinderella or Aladdin.
- The Quest: The protagonist sets out on a journey to achieve a specific goal, facing challenges and obstacles along the way. Examples include The Lord of the Rings or Indiana Jones.
- Voyage and Return: The hero goes to a strange land, faces challenges, and then returns home transformed. Stories like The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland fit this pattern.
- Comedy: This doesn’t necessarily refer to humour but to a plot where misunderstandings and confusion lead to a happy resolution. Shakespearean comedies often follow this pattern.
- Tragedy: The protagonist is a hero with a fatal flaw that leads to their downfall. Classical tragedies, such as those by Shakespeare or Greek playwrights, often follow this structure.
- Rebirth: The central character undergoes a transformation, often after a period of suffering, and finds redemption or a new beginning. Examples include A Christmas Carol or The Grinch.
You can argue if all stories fit into these categories. You might find several elements of these plot types combined in one story. But it helps to be aware of them and you can play around with the themes.
We haven given examples for every plot type. Can you find more examples for each one out of the movies you have seen and the books you have read? Or do you recognise elements of these plots in series you have watched?
