The Third Element of a Story: Plot
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Over the past two weeks, we explored two of a story's five crucial elements: Character and Setting. The character answers who the story is about and the people who act out the sequence of events in the story. The Setting, a character, a symbol, or both fixes the story in a time and place and answers the social and cultural context of what goes on. In this post, we will explore the third element of a story: Plot.
What is Plot?
In the vast landscape of storytelling, imagination thrives, and emotions stir. A third fundamental element that serves as the backbone of every captivating narrative is the plot. This roadmap guides readers through the twists and turns, the highs and lows, and ultimately delivers them to the destination crafted by the author's vision. It’s like the skeleton of a living being; the plot provides structure, coherence, and purpose to a story, making it an indispensable aspect of literary creation.
At its core, the plot is the sequence of events that unfold within the narrative. It encompasses the various actions, conflicts, and resolutions that drive the story forward, keeping readers engaged and invested in the outcome. From the humble beginnings of exposition to the climactic moments of resolution, each plot component serves a specific job in shaping the overall experience for the reader.
Seven Plot Archetypes
There are seven basic plot archetypes in fiction that almost all stories fall under in one form or another.
1. Overcoming the Monster or Villain: An unassuming hero begins a mission to destroy a monster or villain using all his or her courage, strength, and resources. It is usually designed with a Protagonist against an Antagonist of some type, and the Antagonist must be ultimately defeated for the hero to win and obtain his or her goal. Examples: Star Wars, Jaws
2. Rags to Riches: A down-and-out protagonist who deserves better in life but never seems to be able to get ahead achieves his or her dreams—wealth, success, love—and almost loses it all only to survive a crisis and regain it while transforming into the hero that was buried within. Examples: Cinderella, Annie, Jane Eyre.
3. The Quest: Also known as the hero’s journey or the Call to Adventure, the protagonist has an epic adventure or quest, usually accompanied by one or more companions, searching for a treasure or other goal. They face trials and temptations along the way. Examples: The Odyssey, Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride.
4. Voyage and Return: Forced into a new or fantastical world where normal rules and laws don’t apply, the protagonist must overcome trials, temptations, and threats before returning home a hero, having learned an important life lesson. Examples: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit.
5. Comedy: Usually involving a romance, the protagonists are supposed to be together, but obstacles keep getting in the way in the form of misunderstandings, miscommunication, and all-around chaos until they eventually work everything out and end up united happily ever after. Examples: Pride and Prejudice, Sixteen Candles.
6. Tragedy: Many of Shakespeare’s most famous plays fall into this category. The protagonist begins in a state of grace and honor or power, but due to some fatal personality or character flaw, he or she meets conflict, making poor decisions that end up being their undoing. They do not achieve their goals, and the story ends up in failure and (literal or figurative) death. Examples: Macbeth, The Great Gatsby, Scarface.
7. Rebirth: A disagreeable protagonist, unliked by most, falls to a dark influence or entity but throughout the story, he or she finds redemption and is transformed for the better. Examples: A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast.
Plot and Conflict
One of the most crucial aspects of a compelling plot is its ability to create tension and conflict. It's the friction between opposing forces, be it internal struggles within characters or external obstacles they must overcome, that propels the narrative forward and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Whether it's a battle against supernatural beings in a fantasy epic or a character's inner turmoil in a poignant drama, conflict adds depth and complexity to the plot, making it more engaging and memorable.
There are seven main types of conflict in English literature. They are:
1. Character v. Character: The protagonist’s goal is blocked by another character or characters or a force of some kind (antagonist). The hero must overcome the antagonist to obtain his or her goal.
2. Character v. Society or Culture: The protagonist wages war against some social or cultural injustice or oppression.
3. Character v. Nature: The protagonist finds him or herself in conflict with an element of nature, such as the environment, a storm, a wild animal, etc. A Good example is the movie The Revenant.
4. Character v. Technology: this involves a protagonist in conflict with technology or a machine.
5. Character v. Fate: The protagonist conflicts with their destiny or they have trouble accepting their fate or destiny.
6. Character v. Supernatural: The protagonist faces off against a supernatural or alien force or often, some deity. Horror stories usually employ this type of conflict.
7. Character v. Self: the protagonist might have internal conflicts or two opposite goals, usually displayed as a conflict between right v. wrong.
Plot Twists and Pacing
A well-crafted plot is also characterized by its ability to surprise and intrigue. Plot twists and unexpected developments inject excitement into the story, challenging readers' expectations and forcing them to reassess their assumptions about the characters and their journey. These twists keep the narrative fresh and unpredictable. They encourage deeper exploration of themes and motifs woven throughout the story.
The plot's pacing also plays a crucial role in maintaining the narrative's momentum. Authors can effectively control the story's rhythm by strategically alternating between moments of action and reaction, tension and release. This ensures readers remain captivated from beginning to end. Whether it's a heart-pounding chase scene in an action or thriller genre story or a quiet moment of reflection in a worldview genre tale, each beat of the plot contributes to the overall ebb and flow of the narrative, drawing readers deeper into the fictional world.
Plot and Emotion
However, the most compelling aspect of a well-executed plot is its ability to evoke emotion and profoundly resonate with readers. Whether it's joy, sadness, terror, or hope, the emotional journey undertaken by the characters mirrors the reality of human experience. This allows readers to empathize with the protagonist’s struggles and triumphs. A competent and creative author can elicit a wide range of emotions, forging a connection between the audience and the fictional world they inhabit.
Plot, one of the essential elements of a story, serves as the foundation upon which every compelling tale is constructed. It provides structure, tension, and emotional resonance, guiding readers through a journey filled with excitement, intrigue, and meaning. Writers need to master the art of crafting a compelling plot; through this element, the magic and mystery of storytelling are realized.
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Pauline J. Grabia
