Archetypes in Lord of the Flies

You do not need to know the characters from LOST. They are examples only.

What is an archetype?

“Figure that repeats itself in the course of history” (Jung)

Similar stories repeated across cultures

Jack: Hero

group orientedlive together, die

togetherthe group is more

valuable than individuals

John: Hunteracute sensory

prowessintuition or sixth

sensebelieves that there is

a higher purpose to his life and believes in following signs

Sawyer: Anti-Hero

little about him to likea cheata con-man who cares

only about himselfyet, we want to know

his story

Kate: Damsel in Distress

beautiful young woman in a dangerous situation

hero must rescue her

Sayid: Soldier

black-and-white sense of morality

fights and protects isn’t proud what he

has to do deeply nostalgic

about people he’s had to lose or leave behind

Ben: Trickstercan’t trust him on

anythingno telling what his

words really mean or what his intentions truly are

Island: Journey

awakening to & exploring new place early problems followed by adaptationspiritual, emotional, or psychological growth a climactic event which challenges growing

feelings of wholenessescape and return to the home society as a new

person

Mythological/Archetypal Theory

What to look for?

General recurring themes, characters or situations

Three types of archetypes

CharactersImagesSituations

CharactersHero

Larger than life Search or self-identity or fulfillment often

results in his destruction (& destruction of society around him)

Examples: Frodo Beowulf Your examples?

CharactersVariations of hero

Orphan prince Scapegoat Loner or Outcast

Underdog Guilt-ridden character in search of

redemption

CharactersVillain

Personification of evil Evil may be unmotivated or motivated by

a single perceived past wrong No end to hatred Examples:

Satan Grendel Your examples?

CharactersVariations of Villain

Mad scientist Bully

CharactersTemptress

Female Leads men to destruction by her allure

Lady Bertilak Your examples?

ImagesColors

Red = blood, anger, passion, violence Gold = greatness, value, wealth Green = fertility, luxury, growth Blue = God-like holiness, peace, serenity White = purity

ImagesNumbers

Three = Christian trinity Four = seasons Twelve = months of the year

ImagesWater

Source of life Cleansing or purification Baptism

ImagesFire

Protective & destructive Human knowledge & industry

ImagesGardens

Natural abundance Easy, beautiful life New birth, hope Eden

ImagesCave

Source of life Grave Entrance to the underworld Unexplored region of the human soul