Well, squiders, we’ve reached the end of our summer series. We’ve looked at SO MANY plot archetypes. 7 basic plots, 20 master plots, whatever the 36 plot list was called.
So, we’ve done them all, right?
You would be WRONG.
We’ve mentioned this before, but the whole plot archetype thing is really subjective, and where people draw the differences varies wildly. The three sets we went through are the most popular delineations, but they’re far from being the only ones.
So, to finish up our summer series, I thought I’d give you a quick look at some of the other plot archetype lists.
The Hero’s Journey
Perhaps the most classic of all plot archetypes is the Hero’s Journey, which was created by Joseph Campbell. There are 12 stages:
1. The Ordinary World
2. The Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
8. The Ordeal
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with the Elixir
Kurt Vonnegut’s 6 Archetypes
Vonnegut’s archetypes are based on the main character’s arc through each story.
1. Rise, or “Rags to Riches
2. Fall, or “Riches to Rags”
3. Fall Then Rise, or “Man in a Hole”
4. Rise Then Fall, or “Icarus”
5. Rise Then Fall Then Rise, or “Cinderella”
6. Fall Then Rise Then Fall, or “Oedipus”
The Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index
This is a classification system that was developed for European folklore, and divides those stories up into seven categories with subcategories.
1. Animal Tales
Example subcategories:
- Wild Animals
- The Clever Fox (And Other Animals)
- Wild Animals and Domestic Animals
- Wild Animals and Humans
- Domestic Animals
2. Tales of Magic
Example subcategories:
- Supernatural Adversaries
- Supernatural or Enchanted Relative
- Supernatural Tasks
- Supernatural Helpers
- Magic Objects
- Supernatural Power or Knowledge
3. Religious Tales
Example subcategories:
- God Rewards and Punishes
- The Truth Comes to Light
- Heaven
- The Devil
4. Realistic Tales
Example subcategories:
- The Man Marries the Princess
- The Woman Marries the Prince
- Proofs of Fidelity and Innocence
- Good Precepts
- Clever Acts and Words
- Tales of Fate
- Robbers and Murderers
5. Tales of the Stupid Ogre/Giant/Devil
Example subcategories:
- Labor Contract
- Partnership between Man and Ogre
- Contest between Man and Ogre
- Ogre Frightened by Man
- Man Outwits the Devil
- Souls Saved from the Devil
6. Anecdotes and Jokes
Example subcategories:
- Stories about a Fool
- Stories about Married Couples
- Lucky Accidents
- Jokes about Clergymen and Religious Figures
- Anecdotes About Other Groups of People
- Tall Tales
7. Formula Tales
Example subcategories:
- Cumulative Tales
- Chains Based on Numbers/Objects/Animals/Names
- Chains Involving Death
- Chains Involving Eating
- Catch Tales
Man vs. ?
You probably remember these from school. These focus on the challenges that the main character is confronting. (Also, most modern lists have changed this to Person vs. or Character vs.)
- Character vs. Character(s)
- Character vs. Society
- Character vs. Nature
- Character vs. Technology
- Character vs. Supernatural
- Character vs. Fate
- Character vs. Self
And these are just some of what comes down to many, many different archetype breakdowns.
So, now that we’ve talked about the varying plot archetypes–what good are they? What can we do with them?
Well, a lot of this is all academic. But, arguably, you can use them as a starting point when plotting out your story. If you know what story you want to tell, or if you know the archetype of stories like the story you want to tell, you can use the same beats as the archetype to make sure you’re hitting all the right notes. Or you can use an unexpected archetype if you want to try giving your story more punch.
Or you can try all sorts of things. Or none of them. Do what you want, man.
Well, squiders, that’s that! I’ll have a cover reveal and an excerpt for you from Hallowed Hill really soon, so keep an eye out for that!
