What are the seven basic plots in literature?

Question

What are the seven basic plots in literature?

I once read somewhere (it was so long ago that I can't remember where or who said it) that "there are only seven basic plots in all novels and plays." Does this ring any bells? Does anyone know what I am talking about? What are the seven basic plots that always repeat themselves in all literature?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Have a look at this answer given in Google:

1 basic plot - 3 basic plots - 7 basic plots - 20 basic plots - 36
basic plots

All of these seem to have have good reasonings going for them. I guess it just depends on how detailed you want to make a basic plot.

According to Jessamyn West, an IPL volunteer librarian, the seven basic plots are:

1 - [wo]man vs. nature

2 - [wo]man vs. man

3 - [wo]man vs. the environment

4 - [wo]man vs. machines/technology

5 - [wo]man vs. the supernatural

6 - [wo]man vs. self

7 - [wo]man vs. god/religion

You can find that list along with the others here:
http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/plotFARQ.htm… - The Internet Public
Library

Additional information about the above list:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/0011… - The Straight Dope:

What are the seven basic literary plots?

There are also claims made that there are seven basic needs to a story line.

1. A hero – the person through whose eyes we see the story unfold, set
against a larger background.

2. The hero’s character flaw – a weakness or defense mechanism that
hinders the hero in such a way as to render him/her incomplete.

3. Enabling circumstances – the surroundings the hero is in at the
beginning of the story, which allow the hero to maintain his/her
character flaw.

4. An opponent – someone who opposes the hero in getting or doing what
he/she wants. Not always a villain. For example, in a romantic comedy,
the opponent could be the man or woman whom the hero seeks romance
with. The opponent is the person who instigates the life-changing
event.

5. The hero’s ally – the person who spends the most time with the hero
and who helps the hero overcome his/her character flaw.

6. The life-changing event – a challenge, threat or opportunity
usually instigated by the opponent, which forces the hero to respond
in some way that’s related to the hero’s flaw.

7. Jeopardy – the high stakes that the hero must risk to overcome
his/her flaw. These are the dramatic events that lend excitement and
challenge to the quest.

Source(s):

http://www.answers.google.com/answers/th…