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What are the three types of lines?

What's the 'three basic plots' quote and who said it?

  • I know there has been a lot on simplifying the plots of literary history down to seven types. Christopher Brooker's book is all about it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Basic-Plots-Tell-Stories/dp/0826480373 But I remember seeing/hearing somewhere a jocular version of this theory that summarised the plots of literary history to three kinds and was something along the lines of 'There are only three basic plots: Boy meets Girl, Boy falls in love with Girl, Man hunts Whale.' I've done a lot of Googling about and can't find it anywhere, does anyone know what I'm talking about or did I dream this?! Thanks

  • Answer:

    Yet people have long thought that there are only seven basic dramatic plots. Perhaps Gerard de Nerval began the idea of seven by associating each of the seven capital sins with a plot. He tried to categorise dramatic situations based on the deadly sins but was obliged to eliminate two from the start, gluttony and sloth, as being hardly the stuff of drama, and nearly had to lose lust. If you have been intending to start that novel or screenplay but felt short of ideas, here is the Wise Women's synopsis of plot to give you a few ideas. May the Goddess inspire you. Saviour Shirlie.

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Yet people have long thought that there are only seven basic dramatic plots. Perhaps Gerard de Nerval began the idea of seven by associating each of the seven capital sins with a plot. He tried to categorise dramatic situations based on the deadly sins but was obliged to eliminate two from the start, gluttony and sloth, as being hardly the stuff of drama, and nearly had to lose lust. If you have been intending to start that novel or screenplay but felt short of ideas, here is the Wise Women's synopsis of plot to give you a few ideas. May the Goddess inspire you. Saviour Shirlie.

Joseph

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