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Mythological and Archetypal Criticism. An Approach to The Great Gatsby. Archetypal Characters. A Hero Their quest results in their own destruction. A Scapegoat An innocent character who is blamed and punished. A Loner or Outcast
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Mythological and Archetypal Criticism An Approach to The Great Gatsby
Archetypal Characters • A Hero • Their quest results in their own destruction. • A Scapegoat • An innocent character who is blamed and punished. • A Loner or Outcast • One who is separated (themselves) because of physical impairment or an emotional or physiological realization makes them different.
Archetypal Characters (cont’d) • The Temptress • The female that a male character desires and it is the cause of his destruction. • The Earth Mother or Goddess • The nurturing and motherly figure. • The Spirit or Intellect • An unidentified feminine inspiration.
Archetypal Images • Colors: • Red: anger, passion, violence • Gold: greatness, value, wealth • Green: fertility, luxury, growth, jealousy, envy • Sky blue: God-like, holiness, peace, serenity • White: purity • Yin Yang: • One completes or compliments the other because they possess traits the other does not.
Archetypal Images (cont’d) • Numbers • Three: Christian trinity • Four: seasons and ancient elements (earth, water, fire, air) • Twelve: months of the year • Water • Source of life; cleansing; baptism • Gardens • Paradise, beauty, hope, rebirth • Geometric Shapes • Triangle: Christian trinity • Circle: Perfection, eternity, completion, unity
Archetypal Situations • The Quest: • A hero’s endeavor to establish his identity or fulfill his destiny. • Renewal of Life: • Death and rebirth. • Initiation: • Coming of age and rites of passage • The Fall: • An event that marks the loss of innocence • Fall from grace • Redemptive Sacrifice: • A voluntary loss (of life). The result is often another’s gain.