There Are Only 8 Stories! How Every Story Ever Told Fits One of These Archetypes
- Bair Klos
- Feb 20
- 9 min read
Why Do Some Stories Feel Timeless?
Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and thought, This feels familiar—even if it was a brand-new story? That’s because most stories follow a core structure—one that’s been told for centuries, across cultures and time periods.
While every story is unique, most fit into one (or a blend) of these 8 fundamental archetypes. These story structures resonate with readers on a deep level, making them some of the most compelling and enduring forms of storytelling.
Let’s dive in! :)
Table Of Contents |
The 8 Basic Story Archetypes (And Why They Work!)
1.) The Quest – The Hero’s Journey Begins
The heart of a Quest story is determination, growth, and perseverance. The hero often starts out naïve or untested, but through trials, they develop strength, wisdom, or resilience. The obstacles aren’t just physical—they challenge the hero’s beliefs, fears, and limitations. Whether it’s a literal treasure or an emotional revelation, the journey itself is what changes them.
Definition: A hero embarks on a journey to find something valuable, facing obstacles along the way.
Why It Works:
Humans crave adventure and purpose.
The hero’s journey mirrors our personal struggles for growth and discovery.
Examples:
The Lord of the Rings – Frodo must destroy the One Ring.
Indiana Jones – Always seeking a legendary artifact.
Percy Jackson – A demigod on a journey of self-discovery.
How to Subvert It:
What if the goal is a lie (e.g., the “treasure” doesn’t exist)?
What if the hero never returns (Interstellar)?
What if the hero refuses the call (The Last Jedi)?
Common Pitfalls:
A generic hero with no personal stakes.
A journey where every challenge is too easy to overcome.
Questions for Writers:
What motivates the hero to embark on this quest?
How does the journey change them?
What is the real treasure—external or internal?
2.) Overcoming the Monster – Facing Overwhelming Evil
At its core, this archetype represents the battle between good and evil—but not all “monsters” are literal creatures. Sometimes, the antagonist is a corrupt system, an inner demon, or even fate itself. These stories resonate because they reflect our own fears—fighting against something stronger, scarier, or seemingly unstoppable. Victory often comes not just from strength, but from cleverness, teamwork, or a willingness to face the unknown.
Definition: A hero must confront and defeat a great external threat—a villain, monster, or internal demon.
Why It Works:
Taps into our primal fears of danger and survival.
Readers love rooting for an underdog against impossible odds.
Examples:
Beowulf – Classic monster-slaying.
Jaws – A shark terrorizing a town.
Stranger Things – The kids must battle supernatural monsters.
How to Subvert It:
What if the monster isn’t truly evil (Frankenstein)?
What if the hero fails to defeat it (Infinity War)?
What if humanity is the real monster (The Mist)?
Common Pitfalls:
A generic villain with no motivation.
The monster is too easy to kill—no real stakes.
Questions for Writers:
What does the monster symbolize in the story?
What personal fears does the hero need to overcome?
Can the monster be defeated by non-traditional means?
3.) Rags to Riches – The Underdog’s Rise
The true power of this archetype isn’t just about wealth or fame—it’s about self-worth and transformation. The protagonist often starts unnoticed, underestimated, or mistreated, making their rise all the more satisfying. However, these stories often come with a lesson: success isn’t just about external achievements, but about proving something to oneself.
Definition: A protagonist rises from obscurity to success, often proving their worth along the way.
Why It Works:
We love seeing underdogs succeed—it gives hope!
It speaks to personal growth and transformation.
Examples:
Cinderella – From rags to royalty.
Harry Potter – From neglected child to powerful wizard.
Rocky – A nobody boxer becomes a champion.
How to Subvert It:
What if the character loses everything again?
What if the protagonist becomes corrupted by success?
What if they find out riches weren’t what they truly needed?
Common Pitfalls:
Success comes too easily—readers want to see struggle.
A passive protagonist who gets success handed to them.
Questions for Writers:
What is the cost of success for the character?
Is their growth external (status) or internal (self-worth)?
What happens after they achieve their goal?
4.) The Hero’s Journey – Voyage & Return
This archetype explores the push and pull between the familiar and the unknown. The protagonist is thrown into a new world or situation, often one filled with danger, wonder, or strangeness. But returning home isn’t just about the physical journey—it’s about how they’ve changed. The challenge comes when they realize home may not feel the same anymore because they themselves are no longer the same person.
Definition: A hero ventures into an unknown world and returns changed.
Why It Works:
Mirrors our real-life journeys of growth and transformation.
Readers love stories about exploration and discovery.
Examples:
Alice in Wonderland – A strange world teaches Alice lessons.
The Odyssey – Odysseus must fight to return home.
The Wizard of Oz – Dorothy learns that home was what she truly needed.
How to Subvert It:
What if the hero doesn’t want to return?
What if home has changed while they were gone?
What if the hero forgets everything they learned?
Common Pitfalls:
The hero doesn’t change enough—making the journey feel pointless.
The return is too easy or anticlimactic.
Questions for Writers:
How does the new world challenge the hero’s beliefs?
What is the emotional cost of returning home?
Does the hero’s home feel the same or different when they return
5.) Comedy – The Lighthearted Escape
Comedy thrives on miscommunication, irony, and absurdity, but the best comedic stories aren’t just about making people laugh—they reveal truths about human nature. Whether through romantic mix-ups, social satire, or ridiculous circumstances, comedy helps us see our own flaws and struggles through a humorous lens. At its heart, it reminds us that life doesn’t always go as planned—but that’s what makes it interesting.
Definition: A humorous story where misunderstandings, satire, or absurdity drive the plot.
Why It Works:
Comedy relieves tension and makes stories more relatable.
Laughing at life’s absurdity is universally appealing.
Examples:
Pride and Prejudice – Romantic misunderstandings.
Crazy Rich Asians – Family drama, love, and humor.
The Good Place – A comedy about ethics and the afterlife.
How to Subvert It:
Mix comedy with dark themes (The Truman Show).
What if the comedy hides a deeper tragedy?
Blend humor with unexpected genres (Shaun of the Dead).
Common Pitfalls:
Forcing humor that doesn’t feel natural.
Too many random jokes with no purpose.
Questions for Writers:
Is the comedy situation-driven or character-driven?
What deeper themes hide beneath the humor?
6.) Tragedy – The Downward Spiral
Tragedies explore the darkest corners of the human experience, showing how flaws, choices, or fate can lead to ruin. These stories don’t just end in despair for the sake of it—they force us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, morality, and consequences. The best tragedies make readers sympathize with the doomed character, even as they watch their downfall unfold.
Definition: A protagonist’s flaws or poor choices lead to their downfall.
Why It Works:
Tragedy makes us confront hard truths about human nature.
Readers love watching a train wreck unfold.
Examples:
Macbeth – Consumed by ambition.
Breaking Bad – Walter White’s descent into villainy.
How to Subvert It:
What if the character escapes their fate at the last moment?
What if we see the tragedy from the villain’s POV?
Common Pitfalls:
Making the protagonist too unlikeable—readers need to empathize.
The downfall feels forced rather than inevitable.
Questions for Writers:
What is the fatal flaw that causes their downfall?
Do they realize their mistake too late?
7.) Rebirth – A Second Chance at Life
Some of the most powerful stories revolve around transformation and redemption. In the Rebirth archetype, a character—often one who has fallen into darkness, despair, or corruption—gets a chance to change. This can be a literal rebirth (a character is resurrected or given a second life), or it can be a metaphorical rebirth, where they overcome a past wound, fear, or mistake. The core of this archetype is renewal—a character must experience deep internal change to become someone new. This is why it’s often seen in redemption arcs and coming-of-age stories.
Definition: A character undergoes a literal or metaphorical rebirth, often after falling into darkness or despair.
Why It Works:
People love redemption arcs—we want to believe that change is possible.
It taps into the theme of transformation, growth, and second chances.
Examples:
A Christmas Carol – Scrooge transforms from a miser into a generous man.
Beauty and the Beast – The Beast learns to love and is freed from his curse.
Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender) – A fallen prince finds redemption.
How to Subvert It:
What if the character refuses redemption? (Joker, There Will Be Blood)
What if the transformation makes them worse instead of better?
What if they seek redemption but can never fully escape their past?
Common Pitfalls:
The redemption feels too sudden or unearned.
A character changes only because the plot demands it, not because of real growth.
Questions for Writers:
What triggers the character’s turning point?
Do they seek redemption for themselves, or for others?
Is their rebirth internal (mindset) or external (circumstances)?
8.) The Anti-Story – Subverting the Archetypes
Not every story follows a traditional arc. Some flip storytelling conventions on their head, either by deconstructing archetypes, breaking narrative rules, or rejecting traditional resolutions. These stories challenge the audience’s expectations—sometimes making them question who the real hero or villain is, or whether a satisfying ending is even possible. While these stories can be bold and thought-provoking, they require a strong thematic purpose—otherwise, they risk frustrating the audience instead of challenging them.
Definition: A story that intentionally breaks or inverts traditional storytelling structures, either by deconstructing tropes or rejecting resolutions.
Why It Works:
Readers love stories that challenge expectations.
It makes us question storytelling itself—what makes a hero, what defines justice, etc.
Examples:
Gone Girl – Turns the mystery/thriller genre on its head.
Game of Thrones – Constantly subverts expectations (Who’s really the hero?).
Don’t Look Up – A satire that refuses the typical “hero saves the day” resolution.
How to Subvert It:
Play with unreliable narrators (Fight Club, The Girl on the Train).
Let the “villain” be the protagonist (Breaking Bad).
Refuse to give the audience a satisfying resolution (No Country for Old Men).
Common Pitfalls:
Subverting tropes for the sake of it—there should still be purpose.
A frustrating or unsatisfying ending that alienates readers.
Questions for Writers:
What expectation am I intentionally breaking?
Does my subversion enhance the story, or just shock the audience?
Will the reader walk away feeling challenged or just confused?
Concluding Thoughts
While every story is unique, these eight archetypes serve as the foundation of storytelling. Writers don’t need to follow them rigidly, but understanding them provides a framework for crafting compelling, emotionally resonant narratives.
Mix, match, or subvert these archetypes to create something fresh, engaging, and unforgettable.
By recognizing these timeless patterns—and learning how to blend, twist, or reinvent them—you can craft stories that feel both familiar and entirely your own.
Personally, I'm always drawn to a good subverted story (i.e. A Song of Ice and Fire), but I love a good Quest, Hero's Journey, Comedy, and Rebirth story. The story I'm working on (read more about it here) currently incorporates FIVE (😱🤯😵💫) of the eight archetypes: The Quest, Hero's Journey, Overcoming The Monster, Rags to Riches, and Rebirth. If that doesn't emphasize my love for certain story archetypes, I don't know what will, haha!.
But don't feel a need to shoehorn your story into only one archetype, as your story—like mine—can include several types.
So to wrap up this blog post, I'll leave you with a wise quote by George R.R. Martin:
“The best way to be original is to understand what has been done before.”
My questions to you are: Which archetype do you love to read and write about most? Did you have any idea that all stories fall into one of these eight archetypes?
Let me know your answers in the comments below!
Happy writing!
—Bair✍︎
Disclaimer: Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a referral commission at no extra cost to you. This support helps keep my website up & running, and me writing! Thanks so much for your support!
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