Roots: The Saga of an American Family as Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis Plot

Christopher Booker is a scholar who wrote that every story falls into one of seven basic plot structures: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, the Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. Shmoop explores which of these structures fits this story like Cinderella’s slipper.

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At its core, Roots is an extended family tree. Because of this, it doesn't adhere to any specific type of literary plot—especially not one from some clown named Booker (just kidding, buddy, we love your work).