TASK 2 Film Tropes

Christopher Booker is the writer of the book 'The Seven Basic Plots', which is a length book describing his theory of tropes of TV and Film. A trope is another word for an important or reoccurring theme, a convention. In his book he mentions that there are in fact seven of these, these are:

Overcoming the Monster

The protagonist uncovers a threat to them and others around them. Often it is a single thing, such as in Alien or Godzilla.

Rags to Riches

The hero starts at the bottom, however as the underdog manages to rise to the top. An example of this would be Slumdog Millionaire

The Quest

The hero uncovers an item which he desires or needs, and goes out to find it. An example of this can be seen often in Indiana Jones films.

Voyage and Return

The hero finds themselves lost in a strange new place, but eventually survive, and find their way back to safety. One example of this would be Alice in Wonderland.

Comedy

This is where two protagonists dislike each other, however throughout the film they grow closer together, mostly though comedic situations.

Tragedy

Where the hero slowly succumbs to a tragic flaw of his, which can often be pride, anger or jealousy with at the end leads to the characters demise, sometimes at his or her own hands. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith has elements of a tragedy. 

Rebirth

To an extent similar to a tragedy, however the hero is able to realize what he has been doing wrong at the last minute, and is reborn as a new person. An example of this would be Bruce Almighty.