Steelheart

Sanderson uses several genre, character, and plot archetypes to craft this narrative. Archetypes are common literary elements that recur like patterns across the literary canon, though they leave room for the author to add nuance and complexity. This guide explores genre and character archetypes in previous analysis sections, but Steelheart also incorporates a clear plot archetype of “Overcoming the Monster.” In this archetype, a protagonist must defeat a terrifying evil—well-known examples include Beowulf, The Lord of the Rings, and Jurassic Park. These stories begin with a call to action: Steelheart kills David’s father, and David wants to exact revenge. Then, the protagonist spends time dreaming and planning their victory, which occurs during the 10 years between the Prologue and Chapter 1. Next, the protagonist experiences disillusionment or frustration when part of the mission fails, which occurs most clearly after Megan’s death. The climactic nightmare follows when David faces the monster, Steelheart. Finally, the arc ends with the monster’s death and the protagonist’s victory. Though this plot type might make the general conclusion predictable, Sanderson engages readers in the protagonist’s problem-solving process and character development to make the ending feel earned.