Voyage and Return The Seven Basic Plots The
Voyage and Return The Seven Basic Plots
The plots are: �Overcoming the Monster �Rags to Riches �The Quest �Voyage and Return �Comedy �Tragedy �Rebirth
Voyage and Return �Goldilocks and the Three Bears �Alice in Wonderland �The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe �The Wizard of Oz �Peter Rabbit �Prodigal Son parable from the Bible �Gone with the Wind
Essence of the plot �The hero or heroine travels out of their familiar, everyday “normal” surroundings into another world completely cut off from the first, where everything seems abnormal. �The early experience might feel exhilarating, but eventually a shadow intrudes. �By a “thrilling escape” the hero is returned to his normal world.
Voyage and Return �These stories generally fall into two types: � a) the hero is marooned on a deserted island OR � b) the hero visits a land of some strange people or civilization
Variations �As fewer areas of the world were left to be explored, more authors sent their heroes into different parts of time or space �A “social” voyage and return features a hero who finds himself in a different group of people with whom he would not normally associate
Three Questions for Better Perspective How do the heroes or heroines of these stories get into this ‘other world’ where their adventure takes place. 2. What is the real nature of this ‘other world’? 3. What is really happening to them as they pass through it? How does it affect them? 1.
Voyage and Return vs. Quest �Voyage and Return � Heroes have no sense of direction. � The adventure is stumbled upon and unexpected. �Quest � More serious and purposeful events � The hero realizes he has to go on this journey. � Drawn by an overwhelming sense of compulsion. � A specific goal.
Characteristics: Entry �Dramatic nature of the hero's entry into the ‘other world’. � Shipwreck (Life of Pi) � Plane crash (Lord of the Flies) � “Falling” (Alice in Wonderland & Wizard of Oz)
Characteristics: Other World �‘Other world’ � Character’s sense of normality is challenged. �Socially �Culturally �Morally �Geographically �Physically
Characteristics: Other World �Residents of the ‘other world’ � Confrontation with those who already inhabit it and live by different values � The hero often spends time trying to puzzle out the riddles posed The ‘other world’ becomes less and less pleasant and never wholly real to the hero.
Two Types of Voyage and Return Stories �First type is when the hero is not transformed � ‘It was all just a strange dream’ �Wizard of Oz �Peter Pan �Alice and Wonderland. � Second type is when the hero is transformed � Hero is great affected � Peter Rabbit � Prodigal Son
Unique plot �Voyage and Return is different from the other plot outlines. � Does not tend to culminate with triumphant union of hero and the princess. � Happy ending is in the complete transformation
Plot Outline �Anticipation stage and fall into the other world: � Hero is introduced in some state which lays them open to a shattering new experience. They are suddenly participating in a strange world. �Initial fascination or Dream Stage: � First exploration of the new world may be exhilarating but they can never feel at home.
Plot Outline �Frustration Stage: � The mood of the adventure changes to one of frustration, difficulty and oppression. A shadow begins to intrude. �Nightmare Stage: � The shadow becomes so domination that is seems to be a serious threat to the hero’s survival.
Plot Outline �Thrilling Escape and return � When the threat closing in on the hero becomes too much to bear, they make their escape from the other world back to where they started. � Question is how far have they learned or gained anything from their experiences?
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