DISCOVERING
THE SHAPE OF STORY
BY KURT VONNEGUTBY KURT VONNEGUT
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
Kurt Vonnegut's "Shape of Story" presents all stories can be boiled down to a few basic shapes, and understanding these shapes can help us create better stories. One of the most important shapes he identified is the "Man in a Hole" story, which is a story about a character who falls into a difficult situation and has to find a way out of it.
If you think about any book, movie, or story you’ve ever encountered, virtually everything follows that basic shape.
In simple terms, Vonnegut believed that all stories have a basic shape or structure that is similar to the shape of a human life. He believed that all stories, no matter how different they may seem on the surface, follow a basic pattern of birth, growth, change, and death. Understanding this shape can help writers create more powerful and meaningful stories.
Understanding Kurt Vonnegut's philosophy on the Shape of Story
can be helpful for storytellers in a few ways:
First
It can provide a framework for organizing and structuring a story. By understanding the basic shape of a story, writers can better plan and develop their plot, characters, and themes.
Second
It can help writers create more meaningful and impactful stories. By understanding the underlying shape of a story, writers can create a narrative that resonates with readers on a deeper level and evokes strong emotions.
Third
It can also help writers make their stories more original and unique. By understanding the basic shape of a story, writers can experiment with different variations of it and subvert the traditional expectations of their readers.
Finally
It can also make the writing process more enjoyable and satisfying. By knowing the structure of the story, writers can focus on the creative aspects of writing and have a clear understanding of what they want to achieve with their story.
MAN IN A HOLE
The main character faces challenges, conquers them and ultimately comes out stronger as a result of the struggles.
The movie UP tells the story of an elderly man named Carl Fredricksen, who, after the death of his wife, sets out on a journey to fulfill her lifelong dream of visiting South America. Along the way, he discovers that he is not alone and meets a young boy named Russell who becomes his companion. The story follows a clear narrative arc, it starts with Carl living alone, and reaches a climax when he and Russell are stranded in the jungle. They both start in a difficult position, but their journey leads them to make choices that ultimately leads to a better life. Throughout the story, the characters face many challenges, but they find solace in their friendship, and ultimately emerge in a better position as a result of the challenges.
The Shawshank Redemption is a good example of a "man in a hole" movie. The movie is about a man named Andy Dufresne, who is falsely convicted of murder and sent to Shawshank prison. Throughout the movie, Andy faces many challenges and struggles in prison, but ultimately he overcomes them and emerges a better person. Through the help of his friend Red, he plans an escape and finally gets his freedom and redemption. The movie is widely considered as one of the greatest films of all time.
The Prestige tells the story of two rival magicians, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, who are locked in a bitter competition to create the ultimate stage illusion. The story follows a clear narrative arc, it starts with the two characters being friends and partners, develops as they become rivals, and reaches a climax when their competition leads to tragic consequences. Throughout the story, the characters are driven by their ambition and their desire to be the best, and as a result, they both fall into a "hole" of their own making. They both start in a difficult position, but their ambition and desire to be the best, leads them to make choices that ultimately leads to tragic consequences and an unhappy ending.
Another example of a good "man in a hole" movie is "The Green Mile". The movie is about a man named Paul Edgecomb, who is a death row prison guard during the Great depression. He meets a man named John Coffey, a death row inmate with a supernatural power, who has been convicted of a crime he did not commit. Through the story, Paul Edgecomb faces an emotional journey, and as he gets to know John Coffey better, he starts to question the justice system, his own morality and beliefs. He is forced to confront the harsh realities of the death penalty, and ultimately emerges with a greater understanding of humanity and compassion. The movie is directed by Frank Darabont and based on the novel by Stephen King.
MORE ON THE MAN IN A HOLE STORY ARC
As you explore incorporating a “man in a hole” story arc, remember:
The main character is in a difficult or perilous situation, either physically or emotionally.
The main character is often alone and facing adversity, whether it's a natural disaster, a criminal enterprise, or a personal crisis.
The main character is often initially overwhelmed by the situation and may feel helpless or hopeless.
The main character must rely on his inner strength and resourcefulness to overcome the challenges and find a way out of the predicament.
The main character often goes through a transformation, both physically and emotionally, as a result of the struggles.
The main character emerges from the ordeal stronger, more self-reliant, and more confident in his abilities.
The story often features themes of survival, determination, and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult challenges.
The story often features a sense of danger and tension, as the main character is in a life-or-death situation.
The story often features a moment of triumph, where the main character is able to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
The story often features a sense of realism, where the main character's struggles are based on real-life events or situations.
STORY OUTLINE EXAMPLES
A young boy who is afraid of the dark must spend a night alone in the woods as part of a camping trip, where he learns to confront his fears and emerges more confident and self-assured.
A girl who struggles with self-doubt must lead her school's science fair team to victory, where she learns to believe in herself and emerges more determined and ambitious.
A boy who is bullied at school must stand up for himself and his friends, where he learns to be brave and emerges more assertive and resilient.
A girl who is struggling with the recent divorce of her parents must learn to adapt to a new family dynamic, where she learns to be more understanding and emerges more empathetic.
boy meets girl
The main character finds something special, gets it, and loses it for a while but in the end, they get it back and keep it forever.
The Fault In Our Stars is based on the novel of the same name by John Green. It tells the story of two teenagers, Hazel and Gus, who meet and fall in love despite the fact that they both have terminal illnesses. Their love story follows a clear narrative arc, it starts with them meeting, develops as they spend more time together, and reaches a climax when their conditions take a turn for the worse. They both start in a difficult position, but they find solace in their love for each other and make the most of the time they have together. Despite the tragic elements of the story, the film ultimately provides a message of hope, love and the importance of living in the present.
An example of a "boy meets girl" movie that aligns with Vonnegut’s philosophy is "When Harry Met Sally". The movie follows the story of Harry and Sally, two friends who initially don't believe in love at first sight, but eventually fall in love. The story is simple and follows a traditional narrative arc, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The characters meet, develop feelings for each other and ultimately fall in love, marking a clear resolution of the story. It is a romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and it stars Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan.
The Proposal tells the story of a high-powered book editor, Margaret, who forces her assistant, Andrew, to marry her so she can avoid deportation to Canada. At the beginning of the movie, Margaret is a demanding boss, and Andrew is just her assistant, but as the story progresses, the two characters develop feelings for each other and the story reaches its climax when they have to pretend to be a couple. The story follows a clear narrative arc, it starts with them being strangers, develops as they spend more time together, and reaches a climax when they have to pretend to be a couple. They both start in a difficult position, but they find solace in their love for each other and make the most of the time they have together. The movie has a comedic touch, but ultimately provides a message of hope, love, and the importance of living in the present.
This story follows the romance between a poor, but passionate young man named Noah Calhoun and a rich, but privileged young woman named Allie Hamilton, as they fall in love during the summer of 1940. The story follows a traditional narrative arc, with a clear beginning, middle and end. The characters meet, fall in love and face challenges, but ultimately find their way back to each other. The movie is directed by Nick Cassavetes and stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
MORE ON THE boy meets girl STORY ARC
As you explore incorporating a “boy meets girl” story arc, remember:
It’s not ACTUALLY about a boy meeting a girl, but instead when the main character finds something special, gets it, and loses it for a while but in the end, they get it back and keep it forever.
The main character meets someone who is special to them in some way. This can be a romantic interest, a close friend, or someone he has a strong connection with.
The main character finds something that is special to him and the girl, such as a gift, a special object, or a shared experience.
The main character loses the special thing, whether through a misunderstanding, an accident, or a circumstance beyond his control.
The main character goes on a journey to find the special thing again, and during this journey, he learns important lessons about himself and the girl.
The main character and the girl are reunited, and the special thing is returned to its rightful place.
The main character and the girl's relationship is strengthened as a result of the journey, and they are able to keep the special thing forever.
The story often features themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and the power of love and friendship.
The story often features a happy ending where the main character and the girl live happily ever after.
The story often features a coming of age elements, where the main character learns important life lessons and grows as a person through the course of the story.
The story often features a sense of nostalgia, where the special thing serves as a reminder of an important time or a special moment.
STORY OUTLINE EXAMPLES
A young girl discovers a magical flower in the forest that has the power to grant wishes, but loses it after making a hasty decision. She goes on a journey to find it again and learns the importance of careful consideration and emerges more thoughtful and wise.
A boy finds a mysterious key that unlocks a hidden treasure, but loses it after a series of mishaps. He goes on a quest to find it again and learns the importance of perseverance and determination, and emerges more determined and resilient.
A girl finds a rare and beautiful bird that has been lost for years, but loses it after a storm. She goes on a journey to find it again and learns the importance of compassion and empathy, and emerges more caring and kind.
A boy finds a lost dog and adopts it as his own, but loses it after it runs away. He goes on a journey to find it again and learns the importance of love and loyalty, and emerges more loving and faithful.
cinderella
The shape of the Cinderella story and its similarity with other story types intrigued Vonnegut in 1947 - putting in motion some of his life’s greatest work as he traveled the world giving lectures and writing essays on the shape of stories and what they reveal about the human condition.
The story of Frozen follows a traditional narrative arc and follows a clear beginning, middle, and end. The story is about two sisters, Elsa and Anna, one of which has magical powers. Elsa accidentally reveals her powers to the kingdom and runs away, fearing for her safety and the safety of others. Anna sets out to find her and bring her back, she goes through many challenges, but ultimately she is able to find her sister and help her to control her powers. Along the way, they both learn important life lessons, they realize the importance of love and forgiveness and they both achieve self-acceptance and learn how to be true to themselves. They both start in a difficult position, but they are able to improve their circumstances and achieve a better life. The story is also centered around the theme of "letting go" of the past and moving on, which is a classic feature of the Cinderella story.
The Pursuit of Happyness", directed by Gabriele Muccino. The movie is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who goes through a difficult period in his life, as he is left homeless with his young son. He fights to overcome his circumstances and improve his life, he is given an opportunity to intern as a stockbroker and manage to turn his life around. Through hard work and determination, he is able to rise above his difficult situation, and ultimately finds success and happiness. The story follows a clear narrative arc, the protagonist starts in a difficult position, but through determination and hard work, he is able to improve his circumstances and ultimately achieve a better life.
Cinderella is a fairy tale that tells the story of a young girl who lives with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters and is treated as a servant. Despite her difficult situation, Cinderella remains kind and hopeful. She is given the chance to attend a royal ball where she meets and falls in love with the prince, but must leave before revealing her identity. With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella attends the ball and wins the prince's heart, but must leave before the clock strikes 12 or she will lose her chance to be with him. The prince searches the kingdom to find her and they live happily ever after. The story is a classic fairy tale that has been retold in many different forms and mediums, such as movies, books and musicals.
The movie tells the story of a prostitute named Vivian Ward who is hired by a wealthy businessman named Edward Lewis to be his escort for a week. Despite their different social status and backgrounds, they fall in love. The movie follows a traditional narrative arc and follows a clear beginning, middle and end. Vivian starts as someone who is marginalized and mistreated in society, she is given an opportunity to change her circumstances and rises above them, and in the end, she finds love and a better life. The movie is directed by Garry Marshall and stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
MORE ON THE cinderella STORY ARC
As you explore incorporating a “Cinderella” story arc, remember:
The character is treated poorly by her family or society and is seen as an underdog.
The main character possesses inner qualities such as kindness, courage, and determination that ultimately lead to her transformation.
The main character often goes through a transformation, both physically and emotionally, to become a stronger, more confident person.
The main character meets a love interest who helps her to break free from her oppressive situation and ultimately achieves her happy ending.
The story often features a lost item, such as a glass slipper, that the prince uses to find the main character and complete their romance.
The main character's story often includes themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and the triumph of inner beauty over outer appearances.
The story often ends with the main character living happily ever after with the prince, often becoming royalty or achieving a status of high esteem.
STORY OUTLINE EXAMPLES
A young girl who is bullied by her classmates, discovers a magical world where she becomes a powerful sorcerer and saves the kingdom from an evil witch.
She meets the prince and they fall in love. She loses her magic wand but he finds it and she becomes a queen and lives happily ever after.
A young girl who is forced to work as a servant in her own home, discovers a secret society of rebels who help her to overthrow the corrupt government.
She meets the prince and they fall in love. She loses her mask but he finds it and she becomes a leader and lives happily ever after.
A young person who is stuck in a monotonous routine and feels unfulfilled, discovers a hidden talent as a musician and becomes a famous singer.
She meets the prince and they fall in love. She loses her guitar but he finds it and she becomes a star and lives happily ever after.
A young man who is struggling with self-confidence, discovers a hidden talent with food and becomes a renowned chef. He meets the princess and they fall in love.
He loses his recipe book but later finds he had the talent all along, with or without the recipe book.
BAD TO WORSE
The "From Bad to Worse" story type is not commonly seen, as its name suggests, it depicts a situation that starts off poorly and deteriorates even further. The protagonist in this type of story is already in a difficult position at the start, and as the story progresses, things only get worse for them. The protagonist's arc is downward, there is no turning point or a moment of hope and it ultimately leads to a state of permanent misery.
The Lion King tells the story of a young lion prince, Simba, who is exiled from his kingdom after his father, Mufasa, is killed by his uncle, Scar. Simba is forced to grow up in a harsh environment, and his situation gets worse as he is dealing with the guilt of his father's death and his uncle's manipulation. As the story progresses, Simba's situation gets worse and worse, he is forced to confront his past and ultimately reclaim his rightful place as king. The story has a clear downward arc, Simba starts in a bad situation, and as the story progresses, it only gets worse for him. There is a moment of hope and redemption as he finds his way back to his home and becomes the king, but it comes after a long period of difficulties and struggles.
The story is set in a real estate office where salesmen are struggling to sell properties, they are under pressure to close deals and are facing the threat of losing their jobs. The play/movie follows the lives of these salesmen, who are already struggling with their jobs and personal issues, and as the story progresses, their situation becomes worse. The characters face a series of misfortunes, such as losing deals, getting fired and facing personal crises. The play/movie has a clear downward arc, the characters are already in a bad situation at the start, and as the story progresses, it only gets worse for them. There is no moment of hope or redemption and it ultimately leads to an unhappy ending.
The Road is based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a father and his young son are trying to survive in a world without any hope. The father tries to protect his son and keep him alive but as the story progresses, the conditions of the world become harsher and their situation becomes more desperate. The father's attempts to protect his son are in vain and ultimately lead to the tragic loss of his son. The story begins with a bad situation and progressively gets worse, with no hope or redemption, it ultimately leads to an unhappy ending.
The Descent is a horror-thriller about a group of women who go on a caving expedition, but things go wrong, and they find themselves trapped underground and fighting for survival. As the story progresses, the characters' situation gets worse and worse, they are trapped in a dangerous and hostile environment and are being hunted by monstrous creatures. The story has a clear downward arc, the characters are already in a bad situation at the start, and as the story progresses, it only gets worse for them. There is no moment of hope or redemption, and it ultimately leads to an unhappy ending.
MORE ON THE BAD-TO-WORSE STORY ARC
As you explore incorporating a “Bad-to-Worse” story arc, remember:
The story starts with a character or a group of characters in a bad or difficult situation, which then progressively gets worse as the story unfolds.
The story often focuses on the increasing obstacles and challenges that the characters face, building tension and raising the stakes as the story progresses.
The story often involves a central problem or conflict that becomes more complicated and difficult to solve as the story progresses.
The characters often have to make difficult decisions, and the consequences of their actions can make the situation even worse.
The story often involves a sense of hopelessness or helplessness as the characters struggle to find a way out of their predicament.
The story often features a turning point, a moment where the characters realize they must take drastic action to change their situation.
The story often features a resolution, where the characters overcome the challenges and find a way out of their difficult situation.
The story often includes a theme of persistence and the importance of not giving up, even in the face of adversity.
The story often includes a theme of resourcefulness, as the characters must think creatively to solve their problems.
The story often includes a theme of sacrifice, as the characters may have to make sacrifices in order to overcome their challenges.
STORY OUTLINE EXAMPLES
A young boy who is lost in the forest during a camping trip, faces a series of mishaps as he tries to find his way home, such as getting lost deeper in the forest, getting injured, facing wild animals, and running out of supplies. He has to use his wit and determination to overcome the odds and make it back home safely.
A girl who is stranded in a deserted island after a shipwreck, faces a series of challenges such as lack of food and water, bad weather, and wild animals. She has to use her resourcefulness and creativity to survive and find a way to get rescued.
A boy who is falsely accused of stealing in school, faces a series of setbacks as he tries to clear his name, such as being suspended, bullied by classmates, and losing the trust of his friends. He has to use his determination and courage to prove his innocence and restore his reputation.
A girl whose family is struggling financially, faces a series of difficulties such as losing their house, having to move to a new city, and dealing with bullying in school. She has to use her compassion and empathy to support her family and make new friends.
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