Archetypes Senior English 1 Defining archetypes 1 Archetype

Archetypes Senior English

1. Defining archetypes

1. Archetype - defined • An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned

1. Defining Archetypes • A prototype: “ ‘Frankenstein’. . . 'Dracula'. . . 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. . . the archetypes that have influenced all subsequent horror stories" (New York Times).

1. Archetype - defined • An ideal example of a type • quintessence: an archetype of the grumpy old man

1. Archetype-background to term • In Jungian psychology, an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious

Archetypes in Characters We will be discussing these three topics next 2. Characters 3. Setting 4. Action and Events

2. Archetypical Characters Mother figure Hero(think of the classic hero journey & qualities of hero) The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121). • • • Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother)—comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own problems (Knapp 71). Earth Mother Stepmother

2. Archetypical Characters • Wise old men/women— protects or helps main character when he or she faces challenges. • Child/Youth • Inexperienced The great teacher/mentor The innocent

2. Archetypical Characters The Underdog Double or Split personality (the other side of an individual The Sacrificial Redeemer

2. Archetypical Characters • The villain (evil doer) • The sidekick • The hapless hero • The outcast • The trickster

3. Archetypical Settings Look for it in setting

3. Elements of Setting • Time – When – Time of day, time of year, holiday, etc • Place – – Town, mountain, house, – Forest, river, • Mood/Tone – Weather sparks mood

Archetypical Settings Garden • Cultivated and carefully planned. Restricted to certain vegetation. Forest • Those who enter often lose their direction or irrational outlook. • Unregulated space is opposite of the cultivated gardens.

Tree 3 Archetypes in Setting Think about the oak trees in East of Eden or a childhood classic The Giving Tree. Represents life and knowledge

3 Archetypes Mountains and peaks • Deep down where character • Highest peak is place to delves into self “see” far • Place that character goes • Place to gain great insight when “invisible” or inactive • At the extreme may signify death Caves and tunnels

3 Archetypes found in setting • The River • Crossing river may symbolize new territory (Secret Life of Bees) • Rivers can be boundaries or borders & on the other side is something new or different-(Bless Me, Ultima) • The Sea/Ocean • Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos • Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or infinity • Coming in Frankenstein

4. Archetypes found in action and events Look for it in plot

4 The quest or journey • Journey--“The protagonist takes a journey, usually physical but sometimes emotional, during which he or she learns something about himself or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as well as acceptance in a community” (Herz and Gallo 112).

4. If it is a trip, it's a quest Quest for material wealth Quest for security, as a secure place to live Quest for kin Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is threatened • Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance • •

4. Archetypes in Plot (Actions or Events) • Ask: Where have I seen this before?

4. Archetypes in plot The Test or Trial • “In the transition from one stage of life to another, the main character experiences a rite of passage through growth and change; he or she experiences a transformation” (Herz and Gallo 115). Birth/Death and Rebirth • “Through pain and suffering the character overcomes feelings of despair, and through a process of selfrealization is reborn” (Herz and Gallo 110).

4. Archetypes in events • The Fall: Expulsion from Eden “The main character is expelled because of an unacceptable action on his or her part” (Herz and Gallo 111). Mean Girls, perhaps? Easy A ?

Flip Book Assignment ØDefinition and history ØArchetypical Characters ØArchetypical Elements of Setting ØArchetypical Action and Events Use examples (cite page numbers) from the novel as evidence of archetypical elements.