Heros Journey Intro to Archetypes Archetypes Archetype A

Hero’s Journey Intro to Archetypes

Archetypes • Archetype- A recurrent narrative design, pattern of action, character type, theme or image which is identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature. – Characters – Situations

Characters • • The Hero Mother figure Innocent youth Mentor Doppleganger Scapegoat Villian

The Hero • He or she is a character who predominantly exhibits goodness and struggles against evil in order to restore harmony and justice to society

Mother Figure • Such a character may be represented as Fairy Mother who guides and directs a child, Mother Earth who contacts people and offers spiritual and emotional nourishment, and Stepmother who treats their stepchildren roughly.

Innocent Youth • He or she is inexperienced with many weaknesses and seeks safety with others, but others like him/her because of the trust he or she shows in other people. Usually, the experience of coming of age comes in the later parts of the narratives.

Mentor • His or her task is to protect the main character. It is through the wise advice and training of a mentor that the main character achieves success in the world

Doppleganger • It is a duplicate or shadow of a character that represents the evil side of his personality

Scapegoat • A character that takes the blame of everything bad that happens

Villain • A character whose main function is to go to any extent to oppose the hero or whom the hero must annihilate in order to bring justice

Situations • a given experience that a hero or character must endure to move from one place in life to another • Actions and events that add to the plot • A common event seen throughout stories in many different genres

Quest • a search for someone or something of great power or importance • never easily accomplished and often includes near impossible challenges

Task • The Hero must perform some nearly superhuman deed • This is done to save the kingdom, win the girl, or find himself

Initiation • An initiation symbolizes a right of passage • An adolescent may come into adulthood through an initiation • Very much connected with growing up and maturity

Good vs. Evil • Battle between two primal forces • Traditionally, Good will triumph over evil • (protagonist vs. antagonist)

Additional Situations • Utopia – Perfect world – Slow revelations – Shocker! – Wake up call – Departure

Additional Situations • Coming of Age – Youth – Slow revelations – Shocker! – First act of adulthood – Departure

Additional Situations • Stranger comes to town – Undisturbed world (optional) – Stranger comes to town – Disruption of normal order – Protectors – Departure

Additional Situations • Romance – Stranger comes to town (at first this character and the protagonist HATE each other) – Disruption of normal order – New love leaves – Act of Contrition – New love returns

Hero’s Journey • Sends the hero on a search for some truth or information • Forces the hero to discover many unpleasant truths • At his lowest point, the hero will return to the world of the living

Story Template Once upon a time 1. Separation Hero’s Journey Follows Patterns Suddenly Luckily 2. Initiation 3. Belly of the Beast 4. Discovery Happily Ever After 5. Return

*Life as we know it… • The audience (reader) sees a glimpse of the hero’s normal life We see Nemo with his dad on the reef, going off to school. Through dialog we learn about how life has been for Nemo.

Separation • Something is taken away or he/she moves • Everything changes • Happens very early in the story The divers take Nemo away from the reef. This is part of another separation.

Initiation • Character learns the rules of the “new place” • Almost always involves physical pain When Nemo first lands in the tank, he slams into the glass sides trying to escape and calling for his dad.

Belly of the Beast • May be more than one situation, but close to the end • The character “hits bottom” • Leads directly to discovery Darla is in the dentist’s office, holding Nemo’s baggie. It looks as if Nemo will suffer the same fate as the fish who went before him.

Discovery • Discovers something deep and meaningful about himself Now Nemo has a strength that he didn’t possess before. He is able to stand up to his dad and this time he does it straightforwardly rather than a passive-aggressive way.

Return • Allows the character to be at peace We return to the reef, and we get to see someone who represents nearly every chapter of the film.

Other common elements • These elements sometimes appear in the hero’s journey. – – – – Extended search Supernatural forces Decisive victories (usually triumphing over evil) Acts of selflessness Rescue of the princess (or other helpless person Call to adventure Wise and helpful guide Into the unknown