I have heard that there are only seven basic plots in literature, is this true?

All my life I've heard that there are only seven basic plots in storytelling, and I was wondering if this was true, and if so, what are they? Also, could I get some examples of each plot point?





Thanks a lot, I love to expand my knowledge of literature.I have heard that there are only seven basic plots in literature, is this true?
huh, i would guess...


adventure


romance


revenge


death


mystery


morality


sanity/insanity





this is only guessingI have heard that there are only seven basic plots in literature, is this true?
It is true. I don't remember all of them, though. I know there's a book that says what they are. I think it's called ';The Seven Plots of Literature'; or something...


One I see the most is:


Boy meets Girl. Boy falls in love with Girl. Boy looses Girl. Boy gets Girl back.


That's the basis for every romantic comedy.


Sorry I couldn't be more helpful...

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Why isn't the fantasy genre of writing considered to be ';true'; literature? Doesn't fantasy examine humanness?

A student posed this question to me. She wondered why most teachers and ';academia'; don't consider fantasy novels as ';literature';.Why isn't the fantasy genre of writing considered to be ';true'; literature? Doesn't fantasy examine humanness?
I have asked that question myself. Someone once told me that genre fiction like fantasy, western, romance, mystery all follow strict patterns and molds and that was why it isn't considered ';literature'; ... well I say that is just bogus. If you read a well written fantasy you will find all the same cultural discourses as you will find in 'regular' lit but it is simply disguised and wrapped differently. I can tell you that she won't be reading any fantasy in her college lit courses unless she takes a genre class. Sad but true.Why isn't the fantasy genre of writing considered to be ';true'; literature? Doesn't fantasy examine humanness?
When people mention ';Fantasy novels'; they are probably refering to the pulp fiction variety you can buy at the grocery store. While some of those titles may not qualify as ';literature';, it would be pretty hard to argue that Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia would not qualify as literature.





The same can be said of ';Romance Novels';. Why are Harlequin romances considered pulp, whil Dr. Zhivago is considered literature?





A good question to put to your student would be, '; What makes a piece of writing ';literature'; as opposed to just another book?';





I'm not 100% sure of the answer myself, but it would make an interesting assignment.
';literature'; is one of those vacuous buzzwords, much like ';modernism'; ';post-modernism'; etc. i just earned my ba in english literature, and throughout my entire academic career, someone asked that question in at least one course per semester. i agree, Dune is much better than something along the lines of ';Lady Audley's Secret'; but that might just be personal taste.


anyway, the point is, the label literature is always challenged, always will be challenged, and the canon will always change because publishers make money when they add another author to the canon and have to sell another norton anthology of literature for $100.

Why doesn't the true Christian church distribute literature to counter lies spread by religious cults?

You see a lot of religious cults spreading deceptive flyers around, and talking to people on the street, but I've never been handed any literature that exposes their deceptive ways. At least not lately. Maybe 20 years ago. I mean it's a free country, right?Why doesn't the true Christian church distribute literature to counter lies spread by religious cults?
They realize it's a slippery slope.


If religions started pointing out each others nonsense where would it end? People might start to think that religion is all a bunch of superstitious nonsense.Why doesn't the true Christian church distribute literature to counter lies spread by religious cults?
First problem: Which one is the ';True Christian church';?





Second problem: How are you defining cult?





As we've seen here, some morons call CATHOLICS a cult.
Most likely, it is Jehovah's Witnesses that you see out there talking to others and giving people Bible based literature. They are known for their preaching work. This is one of the identifying marks of True Christianity. Christian means Christ-like, someone who follows in Christs footsteps. Jesus spent his life in the ministry. The reason was, is that he had an important message that needed to reach all of mankind.


That message was ';The Good News of God's Kingdom';


This message was so important that the Bible says that the 'end' would not come until it was preached thru-out the whole earth.


';And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.'; (Matthew 24:14)


Jesus taught us to pray for it to come. ';Our Father who art in Heaven, Halllowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven....'; (Matthew 6:9,10; (RS)


So this Kingdom has something to do with God's will being done on earth, the same way that it is in heaven.


God's Kingdom is a government or rulership by God and placed into the hands of his son Jesus. (Isaiah 9:6,7; Daniel 7:13,14; Revelation 5:9,10)


Jesus said that the Kingdom was no part of this world. (John 18:36)


Every form of human gov't. has failed to bring true peace, security and lasting happiness. ONLY God's Kingdom can accomplish that.


It is a heavenly Kingdom that will rule over the earth forever, by God, not humans. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 19:23)





This Kingdom is very GOOD NEWS to all people. Wouldnt you agree that we desperately need a change to take place. Here are just some of the wonderful changes we will see when God's Kingdom begins to rule over the earth.


Sickness, old age, and death will no longer exist. “At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.” (Isaiah 35:5, 6) “God himself will be with [mankind]. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:3, 4.


Crime, violence, and wickedness will be gone forever. “Evildoers themselves will be cut off . . . Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . He will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth.” (Psalm 37:9-11) “As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.” —Proverbs 2:22.


Peace will prevail earth wide. “He [God] is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces.” (Psalm 46:9) “The righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more.”—Psalm 72:7.


Housing will be secure and work satisfying. “They will certainly build houses and have occupancy . . . They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance.”—Isaiah 65:21-23.


Healthful food will be available in abundance. “There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.” (Psalm 72:16) “The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless us.”—Psalm 67:6.


Everlasting life on a paradise earth will be delightful. “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” (Psalm 37:29) “The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.”—Isaiah 35:1.


Would you like to learn more? Jesus said: '; This means everlasting life, they are taking in knowledge of you the only true God and of the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ.'; (John 17:3) If so you can contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall in your area or you could write them at 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn NY, 11201-2483. They would be happy to contact you and they offer free home Bible studies too.

In literature is it true that oranges are a sign of bad luck?

In literature is it true that oranges are sign of bad luck? I heard this through a friend and he used The Godfather as an example and I want to make sure if this is true or not. If yes please post a link where it talks about this.In literature is it true that oranges are a sign of bad luck?
I have never heard that, and I read a lot. But you might consider posting this question in Arts and Humanites under Books and Authors. Someone browsing there might have more information and could point you in the right direction. Best of luck with it.

I'm interested in true literature, but I am unable to read about depressing topics, Any Book Suggestions?

I'm interested in literature, but I am unable to read about depressing topics, such as suicide, rape, murder, etc.





I'm a 17 year old female who likes most genres.





Any and all suggestions are appreciated, thank you.I'm interested in true literature, but I am unable to read about depressing topics, Any Book Suggestions?
Authors:


- Jane Austen


- Bronte sisters





Everything else that springs to mind could be ';depressing';I'm interested in true literature, but I am unable to read about depressing topics, Any Book Suggestions?
The History of Rape, Murder, and Suicide by Michael Jackson
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde


My Antonia by Willa Cather
How about Cyrano de Bergerac by Rostand? Its one of my favorites!
How about an author like george orwell?
yes

Why are some books considered true literature or classics, while others aren't?

Hey people! I've been wondering about this for such a long time. Why are some books considered literature, or masterpieces, while others or not? For example, some literary masterpieces are To Kill a Mockingbird, anything by Jane Austen, Wuthering Heights, etc. Why are these books considered literature as opposed to let's say, Harry Potter. (I'm not going to say twilight, because that's obvious). What makes a book a classic or true literature?Why are some books considered true literature or classics, while others aren't?
A classic is defined by its ability to captivate readers during or past the period it was written. These books deal with situations, emotions or ideas that are able to appeal to very diverse groups of individuals. Classics tend to establish a basis upon which future literature is written, they contain unique and original archetypes, plots and characters. Selecting which books are classics and which aren't is based on peoples cultural ideologies and therefore they are subject to change. The reason why I feel that the classics are essential is because they provide perspectives outside of a readers bias and time period.Why are some books considered true literature or classics, while others aren't?
Some books are considered masterpieces because of the message that they convey and how powerful that message is. A book is considered a true classic after it has withstood the tests of time. We still read Romeo and Juliet today because the message is still true and people still enjoy reading it after hundreds of years. Harry Potter may be considered a classic some time, but not for a while because it is still considered new. If in about 50-60 years Harry Potter is still around and children are still reading it, it will be considered a classic.
I think that true literature is a book that can withstand the test of time. It does not matter the popularity of the book (ie. HP, Twilight) but is more so the quality of the writing and the ideas the book circle around, even perhaps the lessons learned. To Kill a Mockingbird is an OLD book but is still enjoyed today, and by people of ALL ages, children (I read this in grade 5) and adults. Whereas something like Harry Potter, is it really that great? Sure, it's a good fun read but does the book really MEAN anything? No. Plus, it's full of plotholes and is completely predictable. And seems like it was written in a rush for the money, it doesn't really have any soul.
I totally agree!! There are some amazing books that aren't called classics, and most of the classics I know aren't as good as other book!





Take Lord Of The Rings, for example - that has ';withstood the test of time'; yet isn't actually referred to as a classic.


I think its just books that aren't written kinda in modern English, like Shakespeare's stuff is considered a classic, same as books like Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and the Bronte sisters works too. Maybe thats why LOTR isn't a classic, because it was written around the same time (I think?) but its all about magical creatures and wizards and orcs.





All in all, I think it would depend on your frame of reference. I wouldn't consider stuff like Wuthering Heights a classic in MY own opinion, but I'm a teenage girl. Of course I refer to them as classics because thats what everyone knows them as. But my ';classics list'; is basically my favourite books - ones that have a powerful message, or that you can just read again and again.





Mani xx
I would say its prose, the fact that people are still talking about it 30-100 years later. The invoked emotion and thought into characters, setting, and the reader him/her self.





Standing up to the test of time. Harry Potter will be, I honestly don't see those fading away. I know all the fans of it will be reading it to there kids and those kids most likely will read it to theres and so on. That would then become Classic Children Literature.