OVERCOMING THE MONSTER FROM THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER FROM THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS BY CHRISTOPHER BOOKER CREATION AND PERMISSION BY KATY HENDERSON
THE BASIC PREMISE TO THE BASIC PLOTS: Christopher Booker argues that all storytelling is woven around basic plots and archetypes that are inescapable and help to define the human condition. We are psychologically programmed to tell stories in a way that reflects our most basic physiological needs.
THE PLOTS ARE: Overcoming the Monster Rags to Riches The Quest Voyage and Return Comedy Tragedy Rebirth
#1: OVERCOMING THE MONSTER
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER Epic of Gilgamesh Dragon slayer stories James Bond novels & films Gothic novels: Greek mythology Frankenstein, Dracula
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER Essence of the plot: • A community falls under the shadow of an evil power. • The monster threatens destruction, often has in its possession a great prize -- treasure or a “Princess” • The hero, often armed with a magic weapon, must confront the monster, usually near its lair. • Hero makes a thrilling escape from death, slays the monster, inherits the prize and the kingdom.
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THE NATURE OF THE BEAST Alarming in appearance or behavior • Horrible, terrible, grim, misshapen, hate-filled, ruthless, menacing, terrifying • Examples:
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THE NATURE OF THE BEAST Mortally dangerous • Deadly, bloodthirsty, ravening, murderous, venomous, poisonous • Examples:
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THE NATURE OF THE BEAST A deceitful and tricky opponent • Cunning, treacherous, vicious, twisted, slippery, depraved, vile • Examples:
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THE NATURE OF THE BEAST Mysterious, hard to define • Strange, shapeless, sinister, weird, nightmarish, ghastly, hellish, fiendish, demonic, dark • Examples:
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THE NATURE OF THE BEAST “In other words, in its oddly elusive way, we see this ‘night creature’, whether it is a giant or a witch, a dragon or a devil, a ghost or a Martian, representing…everything which seems most inimical, threatening, and dangerous in human nature, when this is turned against ourselves. ”
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THE NATURE OF THE BEAST No matter how different from ourselves the monster may superficially seem, he will always possess some qualities that are at least partly human. However, the monster can never be an ideal, perfect, whole human being.
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THREE ROLES Predator: the monster in its “active” role. It wanders menacingly through the world, spreading a shadow of fear and destruction. Holdfast: “passive” role. Sits in or near its lair, guarding its prize. Avenger: when its guardianship is challenged, it lashes out viciously, leaving its lair to exact revenge.
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: THREE ROLES Note how humanlike the monster’s behavior is in all three roles. The three roles are essentially categories of human behavior when we act on self-seeking impulse. “Above all, and it is the supreme characteristic of every monster who has ever been portrayed in a story, he or she is egocentric. ”
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: ITS DOWNFALL The hero is the polar opposite of the monster: acting selflessly and for some higher cause. The monster is always limited in its egocentric “tunnel vision” and has a blind spot that the hero can exploit. A fatal flaw in the monster’s awareness finally brings it down.
YOU SHALL NOT PASS! A clip from Lord of the Ring
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: PLOT OUTLINE The Call: The monster is introduced as a threat to a community, country, kingdom, or mankind in general. The hero is called to confront it. Dream Stage: The hero makes preparations for battle; he and the monster are brought closer together. Things are going reasonably well, and there is a comfortable remoteness from danger.
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: PLOT OUTLINE Frustration Stage: Hero comes face to face with the monster in all its awesome power. The hero seems inferior by comparison and may even fall into the monster’s clutches. Nightmare Stage: final ordeal begins, a nightmare battle in which the odds seem stacked against the hero. But, just when all seems lost…
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER: PLOT OUTLINE Thrilling Escape from Death/ Death of the Monster: in a miraculous reversal, the hero gains the upper hand delivers a final fatal blow to the monster. Its dark power is overthrown. The community under its shadow is liberated. The hero wins his prize, his princess, and/or his kingdom.
- Slides: 19