 | Kurt Vonnegut, the acclaimed American author known for his dark humor and incisive social commentary, proposed a unique theory on the “shapes” of stories. This theory was part of his master’s thesis, submitted to the anthropology department at the University of Chicago. Though the thesis was ultimately rejected for being too simplistic and entertaining, Vonnegut considered this work his “prettiest contribution” to cultural thought. |
Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Shapes of Stories
These 8 shapes are visualized on a graph where the Y-axis represents the protagonist’s fortune (ranging from good to bad) and the X-axis represents the progression of the story from beginning to end.
Here are the eight shapes along with descriptions and examples:
1. Man in Hole
2. Boy Meets Girl
3. From Bad to Worse
4. Which Way Is Up?
5. Creation Story
6. Old Testament
7. New Testament
8. Cinderella
1. Man in Hole
Description: The protagonist starts with good fortune, encounters a problem (falls into a “hole”), but eventually finds a way out, ending better off than before. Example: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – Bilbo’s journey into and out of danger.
2. Boy Meets Girl
Description: A classic love story arc where the protagonist meets someone special, faces obstacles or misunderstandings, but ultimately achieves a happy ending. Example: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – Despite the tragedy, the initial arc follows this shape.
3. From Bad to Worse
Description: The protagonist starts in a bad situation, and things continually get worse without resolution. Example: Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. – Characters face escalating despair and addiction.
4. Which Way Is Up?
Description: A chaotic storyline with unpredictable ups and downs, making it hard to determine the overall trajectory. Example: Hamlet by William Shakespeare – Ambiguities and constant shifts in fortune.
5. Creation Story
Description: Beginning in a state of nothingness or chaos, followed by a steady rise as order or something new is created. Example: Genesis (The Bible) – The world’s creation from chaos.
6. Old Testament
Description: The protagonist is in good standing but makes a mistake, leading to a fall from grace and eventual punishment. Example: The Story of Adam and Eve – From paradise to exile due to disobedience.
7. New Testament
Description: A redemptive arc where the protagonist suffers but ultimately finds salvation or a positive resolution. Example: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – Jean Valjean’s journey from criminality to redemption.
8. Cinderella
Description: Starting in a bad situation, the protagonist rises to happiness and success, faces a setback, but ultimately ends on a positive note. Example: Cinderella – From rags to riches, with obstacles along the way.
These shapes reflect common themes and patterns that are prevalent in storytelling, providing a framework for understanding narrative dynamics.
Understanding Story Shapes
Vonnegut’s theory is built on the premise that stories have identifiable shapes, which can be graphically represented. He suggested that these shapes are simple enough to be understood by computers, highlighting the universal patterns underlying human narratives. According to Vonnegut, the shapes of stories can be plotted on a graph using two axes:
- Y-axis: Represents the protagonist’s fortune, ranging from good fortune at the top to bad fortune at the bottom.
- X-axis: Represents the progression of the story, moving from the beginning on the left to the end on the right.
By plotting the narrative journey of the protagonist along these axes, Vonnegut demonstrated how various types of stories follow distinct patterns. For instance, classic story arcs like “boy meets girl” exhibit a clear rise and fall in fortune, creating a familiar shape that resonates with audiences. Conversely, more complex narratives such as “man turns into a cockroach” offer less predictable shapes, challenging conventional storytelling expectations.
The Limitations of Story Shapes
While Vonnegut’s approach offers valuable insights into common narrative structures, he also recognized its limitations. In his lectures, Vonnegut argued that while many stories can be plotted on these diagrams, truly great stories often resist such simplification. Using Shakespeare’s Hamlet as an example, he highlighted how the play’s complexity and ambiguity defy straightforward categorization. Hamlet includes elements that are difficult to classify as purely good or bad. The appearance of the ghost, for example, raises questions about its true nature—whether it is indeed Hamlet’s father or a demon. Such ambiguities make it challenging to fit Hamlet neatly into a plotted shape, yet these very qualities contribute to the play’s enduring impact and greatness.
Vonnegut suggested that the artificial rise-and-fall pattern in many stories gives a false sense of understanding life’s complexities. Masterpieces like Hamlet reveal a deeper truth: that we often cannot fully discern what is truly good or bad in life, a reality that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
Appreciating Life Through Storytelling
Beyond his structural analysis of stories, Vonnegut believed that recognizing the patterns of fortune in stories could enhance our appreciation of life’s moments. He recounted advice from his uncle, who would often pause during happy times to say, “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” This habit of noticing and appreciating good moments in life is a practice Vonnegut himself adopted and encouraged others to embrace.
Applying Vonnegut’s Theory to Storytelling
Vonnegut’s theory on the shapes of stories offers both a framework for understanding narrative structures and a reminder of the inherent complexities in storytelling. For advanced storytellers, this theory provides a tool to:
- Analyse Narrative Patterns: By recognizing common story shapes, writers can better understand the expectations and emotional responses of their audience.
- Challenge Traditional Forms: Understanding conventional narrative shapes allows writers to innovate and subvert expectations, creating more engaging and thought-provoking stories.
- Reflect on Life’s Complexities: Acknowledging the limitations of neat narrative arcs can inspire storytellers to explore more nuanced and realistic portrayals of life.
In essence, Vonnegut’s shapes of stories provide a fascinating lens through which to view the art of storytelling, balancing simplicity with the complexity of human experience. By applying this understanding, storytellers can create richer, more resonant narratives that connect deeply with their audiences.
