Mother FigureBlake Christensen

Colter GeorgeWade Martin

The Two Types of Mother Archetypes

Literal

Figurative

The Typical Literal Mother

Is the most common in modern literature. A physical female human being, has

children. Has these characteristics:

› Nurturing› Trustworthy› Empathetic› Loving› Dependable› Protective

On the Other Hand…

Negative Characteristics:

Overprotective Sheltering Causes trauma from separation

The Figurative Mother

› Common in mythology.› A higher power, not a physical being. One that

is believed to give creation to all.› Has similar characteristics to the literal mother.› This type of mother has the following positive

characteristics: Creative Nourishing Caring Protective (As Well)

Also has negative effects:

Overprotective

Destructive

Hateful

Limits development of the world.

Example Time

Importance of the Mother

Serves as the bringer of life, no matter what scale.

In its absence, youth cannot develop Provider of knowledge Protector

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Mother Goose The Old Woman in the Shoe Mother Teresa Fairy Godmother (Cinderella) Mary (Bible) Hera, Demeter Mr. Hudson (Sherlock Holmes)

Wicked Stepmother (Cinderella) Aunt Petunia (Harry Potter) Mother from Hansel & Gretel Witch from Hansel & Gretel

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Gaia› Gaia has been physically represented by a

titan. Athena Often takes the form of an animal.

› Wolf mother of Romulus and Remus

Corn Mothers

Penelope As A Mother