Narrative Elements of a Quest

According to Professor Thomas C. Foster, every good story takes us on a quest...

Yes, a quest involves a search for something. Sometimes it is an object or a person, and in some cases, it can be something a little more abstract, like love, or the approval of our peers.

But in order to be considered a quest, a story must have certain elements in its narrative structure!

• Also known as "the hero" or "the protagonist".

• They are usually normal people who live normal lives, although their setting might be exceptional.

• They are asked by a powerful figure (or maybe just by the circumstances) to search for a missing item or person,

• They embark on a journey and leave their normal lives behind.

The setting also includes the physical landscape, climate, weather, and the societal and cultural surroundings that serve as a backdrop for the action. Setting is revealed through the exposition of a story.

Setting can also be described as...

• The seeker starts somewhere. Their home is the "Ordinary World".

• In order to complete their quest, they must go somewhere else; this is the "Special World".

• There might not be that much difference between both worlds in the greater sense. But for the seeker, it is a big change.

• The hero embarks on a journey, looking for something.

• This something is the "Quest Object".

• It is not necessarily an item. It can be a person, a feeling, and many other concepts.

Sir Galahad and other knights spent many years searching for the Holy Grail, according to legend.

• So, the Quest Object is there. But why does the seeker need to go search for it?

• "The reason" is often given to the seeker by a powerful character, like a wizard, or it can be derived from the character's situation.

• During their quest, the seeker must face a problem.

• This can appear in the form of enemies, like warriors or monsters, or in the form of obstacles in the way, like a tall mountain to climb.

• Sometimes, the challenges are not even physical. They can relate to the seeker overcoming their fears or solving a puzzle, for example.

• Every quest has an ending.

• The journey is complete, the Quest Object is located, the Reason To Go has been fulfilled, and every Challenge has been overcome.

• The seeker returns from the special world back to their ordinary world.