archetypes overview
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Archetypes OverviewEnglish Language Arts
Archetypes Literature and film can be classified into
different genres. Many short stories, novels, poems, plays and films share common features even though they were written by people from different parts of the world and at different times in history.
These recurring images, character types, symbols and narrative patterns are called ARCHETYPES.
Genres classify literature/film and archetypes are another method of classification albeit a more complex and intelligent method.
Conventional Plot Patterns (Recurring Narrative Patterns)
Archetypes
“Westerners”
Quest/Adventure Stories
“Rags to Riches”
Creation Story
Mistaken Identity
“Monster-slaying Story”
Wedding/RomanceLoss of Innocence Story (death)
Conventional Character Types
Archetypes
Wicked Witch Star-crossed lovers
Victim Hero
Evil Step-mother
Villain
Teacher
Child (and throughout various stages to adulthood)
Damsel in Distress
Plot PatternsEndings: Wedding, death, ride into
sunset, murder solved etc.
Symbols & Images
Water: creation, purification, redemption, fertility, growth Rising Sun: wisdom, birth, enlightenment Setting Sun: death Garden: paradise, innocence, fertility Tree: immortality Desert: hopelessness, death, spiritual emptiness Apple: knowledge, health Snake: evil, temptation, sensuality Rose: perfection, beauty Circle: wholeness, unity Red: blood, passion, sacrifice Green: growth, fertility Black: chaos, death, evil White: purity, innocence
Six Archetypes
Golden AgeGod-Teacher/HeroLoss of InnocenceFlood/DoomsdayMetamorphosisHuman Year
GOLDEN AGE The quest story – humanity’s ongoing search
for paradise (people lose paradise and often begin a quest to regain the paradise lost)
Characteristics: The Golden Age is based on the theory that
there was a utopia, which was destroyed but can be regained
Happy endings are usually the result of this archetype
The “Quest Story” is usually associated with GA because the search for paradise is often a quest
Reference to the “good old days” is often the desire for a lost paradise (even if realizing after consideration that the old days were not so good)
In terms of the human year, GA is usually associated with spring or early summer
Abundance, growth, love, peace, and reconciliation are all associated with this archetype
Examples: Matrix, Lion King, Back to the Future, Shrek
GOD-TEACHER/HERO Characteristics: Benevolent (charitable) with
knowledge – willing to teach humans the answers to hidden mysteries
Intermediary – acts as a bridge between humans and a divine power
Model for human behaviour May take the form of animals,
teachers, visionaries, political leaders, religious leaders, and sport or film idols
In terms of the human year, GT is usually associated with summer
May offer themselves as sacrifice (in early myths they were punished for revealing mysteries
Examples: Helen Keller/Annie Sullivan, Yoda, Gandalf, Coach Carter
END OF CHILDHOOD/LOSS OF INNOCENCE
Characteristics: Stories about the origin of evil are end of
childhood stories Movement away from a sense of security,
rosy outlook on life, and youth to a more cynical view of responsibility, greyer outlook on life, and awareness of aging
The end of childhood may come in the form of a personal tragedy, a rude awakening, or a shattered illusion. There is an awareness of loss – a favourite object is broken, a friend moves, beauty is lost
May come as an awareness of one’s own limitations. The realization that one cannot avoid death
May take the form of a new experience – first encounter with war, violence, crime, senseless destruction or a first love
The individual usually comes to realize a harsh truth and must deal with it
Initiation rites to welcome the child into the adult world are part of end of childhood
Examples: The Little Mermaid, To Kill a Mockingbird
FLOOD/DOOMSDAY Characteristics: A story that shows decay and
destruction, then the establishment of a new community. The earth and its inhabitants have come to the worst possible state of affairs
Water is a common image in stories containing this archetype. It destroys yet saves, takes and gives life
A method of rebirth is often included in these stories. This “ark” is a recurring detail and may take the form of a ship or some other vessel
This archetype offers hope. The people left after the destruction are good people. A new society, better than the last, will be the result
The flood is associated with winter Examples: The Day After Tomorrow
METAMORPHOSIS A concept that deals with
transformation. The “change” can be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, etc. Usually metamorphosis occurs as part of a process, and can come about as part of a ritual. Metamorphosis can be beneficial or detrimental
Characteristics: changes of form occur wishes and dreams may become reality fears and nightmares may become
reality similar to the direct comparison of
metaphor metaphor — this is this: “She is a rose” metamorphosis — this becomes this:
“She becomes a rose” recognition that boundaries are not fixed
(transformations may take place…) emphasis is on the similarities in life
rather than the differences Examples: Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde
HUMAN YEAR
The use of natures cycles to express human emotion and feelings.
Examples: Freedom Writers & On Golden Pond
All images obtained from “google images” via public domain