“All great literature is one of two stories; a man goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town.”
— Leo Tolstoy
Simplified Meaning:
Stories often follow one of two main themes. The first is when someone sets off on an adventure, leaving their home and facing new challenges. Think of classic tales like "The Lord of the Rings," where Frodo leaves the Shire to destroy the ring. The second theme happens when a new person arrives in a familiar place and shakes things up. For example, in "To Kill a Mockingbird," the arrival of Atticus Finch’s client, Tom Robinson, changes the town's dynamics. By understanding these two common story types, we can see how many books and movies fit into them. If you're writing your own story, you can use these themes to structure your plot. We've seen it everywhere because these patterns reflect big changes in life and human experience, making them powerful and engaging.
