Do you think that eventually people will run out of ideas for books and have to start repeating them?

Question

For example people compare Eragon to Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Harry Potter; because they have similar characters and plots. The same applies to any book that is in the same category as another "classic." When will we run out of characters and plots?

Answer 1

My guess is that media will change before we run out of plots. (Take science fiction as an example, as a recent genre; just because our concept of time is more streamlined doesn't mean we don't have time to develop new ideas). Then it will be a different experience and the same characters will have a new appeal to them. Within that new context there will be a reworking of themes that will be qualitatively different, and will last until media takes another turn.

Also, the creation of new tools (i.e. inventions) and new language and culture allows old themes to be reworked in the context of a new generation. The question to ask, is if the old themes are as successful as they were when they were introduced. Is a book really the same thing that it was when books were always religious or spiritual texts? Are there people that keep the tradition, or are books used for entirely different purposes today?

Also, our concept of time is important. Why is it so important when an idea was first created, if it exists now? The fact that it exists now is a sign that it still has strength. Plots are worn out when books don't sell. Yet books do sell today, the stores are full of them. We shouldn't assume that books had any greater value at a previous time in history, nor should we assume that the books of today are the measure of tommorow's books.

Answer 2

There are no original plots. Stories are almost always the same only the characters have different names & live different places.
How there are not more plagiarism suites, I do not know.
For instance, Robert McCammon's "Swan Song" & Stephen King's "The Stand" are very similar. Many of R.L Stines children’s' books have the same plot [albeit condensed] as many Stephen King's novels. It happens in all genres of literature just as television shows copy movies & the theatre.

Answer 3

There are only two basic plots.
#1: A person goes on a journey.
#2: A stranger comes to town.

Character potential, however, is as limited as personality potential in real human beings. Authors will never run out of original characters so long as they keep basing characters on real people.

Answer 4

wasn't Eragon written by a 16 year old? that's probably why it seems like it's influenced by other things - because I'm sure it was. when you're 16, you don't have the same originality potential as someone who's older and stuff.

Answer 5

With the names replaced and various characters in it, it appears like lost, on that Island.and too a lot of not some thing is in the tale.and your sais, should be suggested., reassess what you've suggested, and do it back, and the subsequent time you receives extra valuable comments. ok! Love you, Have a satisfied New year :)

Answer 6

We already have. Hence, the abundance of archetypal characters and plots.

Answer 7

eventhough you do make an excelent point, i can't help but think that as long as there are people who have a great imagination that there will always be great and new&interisting ideas

Answer 8

no because i think that new conflicts will arise in the future and not everyones imagination is the same so it wont keep repeating.

Answer 9

It's already happend, as you explained above.

Answer 10

no.new people are born therefore, new ideas r thought of.