Understanding Archetypes: Exploring Their Presence in Literature

1. Archetypes

2. What is an archetype? • Archetype is derived from Greek • archosmeaning “first” • typos meaning “a mark” • Literally means “first mark” • Defined as an original pattern or model; a prototype

3. Karl Jung’s Archetypes • Explains archetypes as images, patterns, or symbols in the collective unconscious • Blueprints embedded in the mind • Exist in all humans • Account for human behavior • Like his mentor, Sigmund Freud, Jung believed that all humans had “memories” embedded in their minds from their earliest ancestors

4. Everything is a Remix • http://www.universalsubtitles.org/en/videos/5rpFImxKn17K/info/everything-is-a-remix-part-2/#video

5. How would Jung explain the idea of recurrent archetypes? • Would he agree with the filmmaker? • Why do you think archetypes are present in so many works of fiction? • How are archetypes present is real life?

6. Common Archetypes • Journey/Quest • Creation • Tree • Flood (expanded from water) • Destruction of Evil • Serpent

7. The Great Mother • A female who embodies mystery, power, and motherly care. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6GwWuNf6KM

9. How have you seen the archetype of the “great mother” incorporated into literature you have read?

10. The Temptress • A beautiful, seductive female that uses her power (which may be intelligence, magic, or beauty)to lure the hero away from ambition and morality

12. How have you seen the archetype of the “temptress” incorporated into literature you have read?

13. The Trickster • A character (often male) that breaks the rules of a deity or nature (by deceiving or playing tricks)

15. How have you seen the archetype of the “trickster” incorporated into literature you have read?

16. The Sage • A kind, wise older man of high intelligence who offers guidance and impresses upon those he mentors a sense of who they are and who they may become. Often seems absent-minded due to his contemplative nature.

18. How have you seen the archetype of the “sage” incorporated into literature you have read?

19. Other Archetypal Characters • The hero: • often goes on some kind of journey or quest. • In the course of his journey, the hero demonstrates the qualities and abilities valued by his culture. • The Underdog: • always in the wrong place at the wrong time… • but usually wins something of value in the end.    

20. To conclude… • Raise your hand and give one thing you learned: • From the PowerPoint/ Ms. Young • One of your peers  • Think about how these archetypes exist in your life…the situations and people

21. Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Activity • You will be counted off by four and assigned one of the following archetypes: • The Temptress • The Sage • The Great Mother • The Trickster

22. In your group, you will go over Gen 1-11 and find characters that you feel fit the description of your archetypal character • Answer the questions on your worksheet about the character/archetype • As you are working, I will come around and give you a colored post-it.

23. When everyone has completed their worksheet and become an “expert” on their archetype within Gen 1-11, students will form new groups • Groups should contain a person with a post-it of each color (therefore, groups of 4) • Each member will report their expert knowledge to the rest of the group • The other group members will complete one worksheet for each of the archetypes based on the information conveyed by their peers

24. Peer Editing for Archetypal Character Assignment • Find a partner to peer edit your archetypal character assignment • First you should READ YOUR PARTNER’s PIECE ALOUD and then have them do the same for you • Once you have edited and had your assignment edited by your partner, hand it in for a participation grade