Archetypes in LiteratureArchetypes in Literature

World LiteratureWorld Literature

Definition of ArchetypeDefinition of Archetype

A recurrent narrative design, pattern of A recurrent narrative design, pattern of action, character type, themes or image action, character type, themes or image which is identifiable in a wide variety of which is identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature. works of literature.

An archetype is the first real example or An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is prototype of something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern automobile). the prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme considered the ideal model, the supreme

type or the perfect image of type or the perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 114).something (Brunel 111-112, 114).

Definition of MotifDefinition of Motif

An event, device reference or An event, device reference or formula which occurs frequently in formula which occurs frequently in works of literature. works of literature.

FloralFloral

MotifMotif

So what’s the difference?So what’s the difference? The differences are minimal. Often the words are used The differences are minimal. Often the words are used

interchangeably. interchangeably.

An archetype is described as a recurring symbol, theme, An archetype is described as a recurring symbol, theme, character, or setting in multiple works. It's something that's character, or setting in multiple works. It's something that's appeared in literature so often that it's very recognizable. appeared in literature so often that it's very recognizable. For example, an archetypical theme is "love conquers all." For example, an archetypical theme is "love conquers all." Where have we *not* seen that before? An archetypical plot Where have we *not* seen that before? An archetypical plot structure is the infamous love triangle.structure is the infamous love triangle.

A motif, though, is a recurring contrast, structure, or literary A motif, though, is a recurring contrast, structure, or literary device that comes back device that comes back in different formsin different forms. In . In Lord of the Lord of the FliesFlies, the beasties are symbols which are used as motifs , the beasties are symbols which are used as motifs which represents fear, but it comes in different forms.which represents fear, but it comes in different forms.

Examples of ArchetypesExamples of Archetypes

Characters Characters • Hero (think of the classic hero journey & Hero (think of the classic hero journey &

qualities of hero)qualities of hero) ““The main character leaves his or her The main character leaves his or her

community to go on an adventure, community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the performing deeds that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121). community” (Herz and Gallo 121).

The courageous figure, the one who’s The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. always running in and saving the day.

• D’artagnan from D’artagnan from Three MusketeersThree Musketeers• John Wayne in most of his moviesJohn Wayne in most of his movies• HerculesHercules

Mother FigureMother Figure Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother) Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother) – –

comforts and directs child, especially when he or comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for help when it is powers that can be called on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own needed. Helps young person to solve own problems (Knapp 71).problems (Knapp 71).

Earth MotherEarth Mother – This character is symbolic of – This character is symbolic of fulfillment, abundance, and fertility; offers fulfillment, abundance, and fertility; offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who she contacts; often depicted in earth colors, with she contacts; often depicted in earth colors, with large breasts and hipslarge breasts and hips

StepmotherStepmother

ExamplesExamples Fairy tales characters such as the stepmother in

Cinderella, fairy godmothers, Mother Goose, Little Red Riding Hood, Briar Rose, Pocahontas

Mythology: Persephone, Demeter, Hercate, Literature: Gladriel from Lord of the Rings, Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, Dante’s Beatrice, Faulkner’s Light in August, Woolf’s To the Lighthouse

Movies: the Dad in Mr. Mom, the mother in Flowers in the Attic, Ripley with Newt in Aliens

The Great Teacher/MentorThe Great Teacher/Mentor

Wise old men/women – protects or helps Wise old men/women – protects or helps main character when he or she faces main character when he or she faces challenges.challenges.

Sometimes they work as role models and Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure. often serve as father or mother figure. They teach by example the skills They teach by example the skills necessary to survive the journey and necessary to survive the journey and quest.quest.

ExamplesExamples• Obi Wan KenobiObi Wan Kenobi• RafikiRafiki

The InnocentThe Innocent Child/YouthChild/Youth Inexperienced adultInexperienced adult The innocent, fearing abandonment, seeks safety.The innocent, fearing abandonment, seeks safety. Their greatest strength is their trust and optimism Their greatest strength is their trust and optimism

that endears them to others and so gain help and that endears them to others and so gain help and support on their quest.support on their quest.

Their main danger is that they may be blind to Their main danger is that they may be blind to their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They also may become dependent on others to fulfill also may become dependent on others to fulfill their heroic task. their heroic task.

Frodo – Frodo – Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings

DoubleDouble DoppelgangerDoppelganger It is the double or mirroring or split personality or

good/evil It is the duplicate of an individual

or part of a divided individual Versions of the doppelganger are

found in dreams, myths, rituals ofprimitive people, folklore and literature and other art forms

Can have many names including the Other, the alter ego, the second self

ExamplesExamples• FrankensteinFrankenstein• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Sacrificial RedeemerThe Sacrificial Redeemer

““The protagonist is willing to die for The protagonist is willing to die for his or her beliefs; the main character his or her beliefs; the main character maintains a strong sense of morality” maintains a strong sense of morality” (Herz and Gallo 123).(Herz and Gallo 123).

Embodiment of divine power and Embodiment of divine power and being sent on a mission to being sent on a mission to save humanity.save humanity.• Jesus ChristJesus Christ• Erin Brockovich Erin Brockovich

Scapegoat/Sacrificial VictimScapegoat/Sacrificial Victim

The one who gets blamed for The one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he everything, regardless of whether he or she is at fault.or she is at fault.• Snowball from George Orwell’s Snowball from George Orwell’s Animal Animal

FarmFarm

Enchantress/TemptressEnchantress/Temptress

Characterized by sensuous beauty, this Characterized by sensuous beauty, this woman is one to whom the protagonist woman is one to whom the protagonist is physically attracted and who is physically attracted and who ultimately brings about his downfall. ultimately brings about his downfall. May appear as a witch or vampire .May appear as a witch or vampire .• The Sirens in Mythology The Sirens in Mythology • Mystique from Mystique from X-MenX-Men• Elektra King from James Elektra King from James

Bond Bond The World is Not The World is Not EnoughEnough

VillainVillain

WolfWolf AntagonistAntagonist Bad GuyBad Guy Examples:Examples:

• Cruella DeVilleCruella DeVille

TricksterTrickster

A A trickstertrickster is a god, goddess, spirit, is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. conventional behavior. • LokiLoki• CoyoteCoyote

Evil FigureEvil Figure The Devil or SerpentThe Devil or Serpent This character represents This character represents

evil incarnate. He or she evil incarnate. He or she may offer worldly goods, may offer worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange protagonist in exchange for possession of the soul for possession of the soul or integrity. This figure’s or integrity. This figure’s main aim is to oppose the main aim is to oppose the hero in his or her quest.hero in his or her quest.• VoldemortVoldemort

SettingsSettings

GardenGarden• Cultivated and carefully planned. Cultivated and carefully planned.

Restricted to certain vegetationRestricted to certain vegetation

ForestForest Habitat of the Great Habitat of the Great

Mother (Mother Mother (Mother Nature), the lunar Nature), the lunar force. Fertility. The force. Fertility. The vegetation and vegetation and animals flourish in this animals flourish in this “green world” “green world” because of the because of the sustaining power of sustaining power of the Great Mother. the Great Mother. Symbolically the Symbolically the primitive levels of the primitive levels of the feminine psyche, feminine psyche, protective and protective and sheltering. sheltering.

Those who enter often Those who enter often lose their direction or lose their direction or rational outlook and rational outlook and thus tap into their thus tap into their collective unconscious. collective unconscious. This unregulated This unregulated space is opposite of space is opposite of the cultivated gardens, the cultivated gardens, which are carefully which are carefully planned and are planned and are restricted to certain restricted to certain vegetation. vegetation.

TreeTree

Represents life and knowledgeRepresents life and knowledge

Caves and TunnelsCaves and Tunnels

Deep down where character delves Deep down where character delves into selfinto self

Place that character goes when Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive“invisible” or inactive

At the extreme may signify deathAt the extreme may signify death

Mountains and PeaksMountains and Peaks

Highest peak is place to “see” farHighest peak is place to “see” far Place to gain great insightPlace to gain great insight

The RiverThe River Crossing river may Crossing river may

symbolize new symbolize new territoryterritory

Rivers can be Rivers can be boundaries or borders boundaries or borders and on the other side and on the other side is something new or is something new or differentdifferent

May represent human May represent human life or time passing as life or time passing as we follow the river we follow the river from its sourt to its from its sourt to its mouthmouth

The SeaThe Sea

Vast, alien, dangerous, Vast, alien, dangerous,

chaoschaos Waves may symbolize Waves may symbolize

measures of time and measures of time and

represent eternity or represent eternity or

infinity infinity

FountainFountain

Stands for purification; the sprinkling of Stands for purification; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes away sin. Water water (baptism) washes away sin. Water of fountain gives new life (Knapp 32).of fountain gives new life (Knapp 32).

IslandsIslands

Microcosms or small worlds unto Microcosms or small worlds unto themselvesthemselves

Represent isolation or get-a-waysRepresent isolation or get-a-ways

Actions/EventsActions/Events JourneyJourney – “The protagonist takes a journey, – “The protagonist takes a journey,

usually physical but sometimes emotional, during usually physical but sometimes emotional, during which he or she learns something about himself which he or she learns something about himself or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as well as acceptance in a community” (Herz and well as acceptance in a community” (Herz and Gallo 112).Gallo 112).• LinearLinear• CircularCircular• QuestsQuests

Quest for material wealthQuest for material wealth Quest for security, as a secure place to liveQuest for security, as a secure place to live Quest for kinQuest for kin Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is

threatenedthreatened Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assuranceQuest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance

Rites of InitiationRites of Initiation

This is the process by which a This is the process by which a character is brought into another character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually into sphere of influence, usually into adulthood.adulthood.

Parental Conflict and RelationshipsParental Conflict and Relationships

““The protagonist deals with parental The protagonist deals with parental conflict by rejecting or bonding with conflict by rejecting or bonding with parents” (Herz and Gallo 117). parents” (Herz and Gallo 117).

SleepSleep

Crucial for physical and/or Crucial for physical and/or psychological healing. During psychological healing. During dreams, person can grow. Person dreams, person can grow. Person can fantasize freely in sleep. A can fantasize freely in sleep. A transitional and beneficial period. In transitional and beneficial period. In dream sphere can descend to the dream sphere can descend to the sphere of the Great Mother. Person sphere of the Great Mother. Person awakens with a greater awakens with a greater understanding of human nature understanding of human nature (Knapp 88). (Knapp 88).

The Test or TrialThe Test or Trial

““In the transition from one stage of In the transition from one stage of life to another, the main character life to another, the main character experiences a rite of ppassage experiences a rite of ppassage through growth and change; he or through growth and change; he or she experiences a transformation” she experiences a transformation” (Herz and Gallo 115). (Herz and Gallo 115).

Birth/Death and RebirthBirth/Death and Rebirth

““Through pain and suffering the Through pain and suffering the character overcomes feelings of character overcomes feelings of despair, and through a process of despair, and through a process of self-realization is reborn” (Herz and self-realization is reborn” (Herz and Gallo 110). Gallo 110).

The Fall: Expulsion from EdenThe Fall: Expulsion from Eden

““the main character is expelled the main character is expelled because of an unacceptable action because of an unacceptable action on his or her part” (Herz and Gallo on his or her part” (Herz and Gallo 111).111).

Annihilation/Absurdity/Total Annihilation/Absurdity/Total OblivionOblivion

““In order to exist in an intolerable In order to exist in an intolerable world, the main character accepts world, the main character accepts that life is absurd, ridiculous, and that life is absurd, ridiculous, and ironic” (Herz and Gallo 116). ironic” (Herz and Gallo 116).

Works CitedWorks Cited

Brunel, Pierre. Brunel, Pierre. Companion to Literary Myths, Companion to Literary Myths, Heroes and Archetypes. Heroes and Archetypes. New York: New York: Routledge, 1992.Routledge, 1992.

Franz, Marie-Louise von. Franz, Marie-Louise von. Archetypal Archetypal Patterns in Fairy TalesPatterns in Fairy Tales. Toronto: Inner . Toronto: Inner City, 1997.City, 1997.

Herz, Sarah K., and Donald R. Gallo. Herz, Sarah K., and Donald R. Gallo. From From Hinton to Hamlet: Building Bridges Hinton to Hamlet: Building Bridges Between Young Adult Literature and the Between Young Adult Literature and the Classics. Classics. 22ndnd ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood, ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2005. 2005.