The Power of Archetypes in Literature

1. Archetypes in Literature

2. Archetypes are…… Original models on which something is patterned or based Standard, typical examples Universal- they cross genres, generations, languages and cultures “Paradigms”

3. We study Archetypes to: • Provide a framework to understand any piece of fiction • To understand the author’s purpose and characters’ motivations better

4. Archetypes of Literature • In literature archetypes occur as: • Characters • Colors • Settings or Locations • Themes • Numbers

5. The Archetypal Characters • Hero • Villain • Fair Maiden • Mentor or Sage • Sidekick • Joker or Fool • Temptress

6. The Archetypal Hero • HERO • can either be male or female (in western literature, the hero is more often male) • Must go on a quest to conquer evil • Often has a tragic flaw, such as hubris or excessive pride • Usually superior to common people in three ways: • 1. Morally • 2. Mentally • 3. Physically But,

7. The Archetypal Hero • Can be physically inferior--Quasimodo, the Phantom, Dare Devil, and still be a hero. • Can be mentally inferior--Charlie from Flowers for Algernon and still be a hero. • HOWEVER, a hero cannot be morally inferior. • Moral superiority allows him to fight the villain, allowing good to triumph over evil Can you think of a hero from literature or movie?

8. The Four Stages of a Hero’s Life • Birth/Childhood • Preparation or training • Quest • Triumphant Return or Death

9. Character Type - Villain • Usually dark or wearing dark clothing • Is the person the hero must battle in his search for himself • Is the person the hero must defeat to conquer evil. • Examples: Darth Vader, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Can you think of any other villains?

10. Character Type - Fair Maiden/Love Interest • Archetypal Fair Maiden is: • The romantic focus of the hero and/or the villain • The victim who must be saved from evil. • Pure and innocent of the world’s evil ways. • The “damsel in distress”

11. Character Type - Mentor • Archetypal Mentor: • Is the one who prepares the hero for the journey or quest • Is the person who provides the lessons the hero uses during the quest and ultimate battle • Has lessons that provide moral strength • Is also called The Sage or Wiseman • May give up his life or make sacrifice to save another or save the cause Can you think of any Mentors?

12. Character Type: Sidekick • Archetypal Sidekick and/or Henchmen: • Often adds humor or “warm fuzzies” • Supports or is the best friend of the hero/villain Can you think of any sidekick examples?

13. Other Character Types • Siren/Seductress/Temptress:Characterized by sensuous beauty, she is one whose physical attraction may bring about the hero's downfall. • Fool: Provides Comic relief to an often over-dramatic plot. Is funny, plays tricks, but is not malicious.

14. Archetypal Colors and Symbols • Archetypal colors get their meanings or symbolism through their existence in the natural environment. • The colors may have positive or negative meanings

15. Colors • RED • comes from blood • symbolizes passion (both love and anger) • symbolizes courage, violence • Valentine’s Day • associated with sin (scarlet woman)

16. Colors • BLACK • Symbolizes evil: The villain, fear, coldness, scary things of the night • Death • Sin • Positive: Elegance, sleekness, simplicity

17. Colors • WHITE • symbolizes innocence and purity • think of snow, clouds • associated with light, day, goodness • things untouched by human hands • pristine

18. Colors • BLUE • Symbolizes peace, tranquility • Think of the sky, or still water

19. Colors • GOLD / YELLOW • Symbols of gods and royalty • Think of the sun • Created in awe of people--wealth • Think of the precious metal ore • Fullness of life, ripeness, harvest

20. Colors • GREEN • Symbolizes growth, life and fertility • Think of spring • Freshness • Renewal • Vegetation myths (their gods were little Jolly Green Giants--of the earth--rejuvenation each spring) • Negatives: Jealousy, inexperience

21. Colors • PURPLE • Royalty • Purple dye is hardest to process, only the wealthy could afford it. • Wisdom, valor • Negative: bruising, rotten

22. Archetypal Themes • Think of themes of Disney Movies, “Star Wars,” cartoons, comic books with heroes and villains, legends and myths. • The bad deserve to lose, the good should always win, the power of love should be stronger than the power of hate. • Used in literature to express the need “to set the universe on the right course.”

23. Archetypal Themes • The Big Ones: • Love conquers all • Good will triumph over evil • Hate, if victorious, will destroy all • Treat others how you would like to be treated

24. Archetypal Settings • Setting includes time, place, and atmosphere • Pay attention to the time of day a story takes place. • Settings are carefully chosen by the author to emphasize point of story • DAY=Good things, rational things • NIGHT=Bad things, lack of understanding What does the setting “It was a dark and stormy night” make you think of?

25. Archetypal Numbers 3 - light, spiritual awareness, unity (the Holy Trinity) 4 - associated with the circle, life cycle, four seasons; female principle, earth, nature, elements. 7 - the most potent of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number; religious symbol.

26. And so…. • Authors use archetypes to tell us something about the story without being too obvious. • They use these people, colors, settings and theme to help us to infer what is supposed to happen. • How can we use archetypes to become better readers?