I was very much angered to read a list of what are supposed to be the 'seven original plots':
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
Whoever wrote these is an idiot for the following reasons:
1) These are not plots, they are types of conflict. In fact, they're not even types of conflict, they're types of things that can be engaged in conflict.
2) What about Nature vs. Nature? Or Machines vs. Machines?
3) That list does not help understand anything in the slightest. What's the point of categorizing things in this way?
4) Not every main storyline is about conflict. Admittedly, most are, but what about romance? Okay, perhaps that is conflict, and there could be conflict on the side, but doesn't romance make more sense for a list like this?
I found some other lists that seemed to make more sense and although I find the concept interesting, I don't think it's very important or useful to categorize plots in this way.
I found some other lists that seemed to make more sense and although I find the concept interesting, I don't think it's very important or useful to categorize plots in this way.
-PWN-
Sorry about the weird spacing, I don't know what caused that.
ReplyDeleteWell, about your nature v nature point, I suppose it is quite rare to come by a story which does not involve human conflict, as the audience would not feel concerned.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, but many films (and probably books too) do look at things from an animals point of view. Here are some that I am aware of:
DeleteThe Lion King (1994)
Ice Age (2002)
Madagascar (2005)
However, I must admit all the animals in these films are anthropomorphic.
Well yes, but there's also your point about 'what's the point of categorising these?' There are quite a few points- the foremost being this: if one is writing a story, he may resort to this to decide what story he's writing.
DeleteYes... but any non-idiot would know automatically which category each type of conflict each falls into.
Delete