Bellringer Wednesday• Complete the daily language for

today.• After you complete the review of a

rough draft, read the article on archetypes.

Archetypes in LiteratureArchetypes in Literature

Definition of ArchetypeDefinition of Archetype

A recurrent narrative design, pattern of A recurrent narrative design, pattern of action, character type, themes or image action, character type, themes or image which is identifiable in a wide variety of which is identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature. works of literature.

An archetype is the first real example or An archetype is the first real example or prototype of something (as the Model T is prototype of something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern automobile). the prototype of the modern automobile). In this sense an archetype can be In this sense an archetype can be considered the ideal model, the supreme considered the ideal model, the supreme

type or the perfect image of type or the perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 114).something (Brunel 111-112, 114).

Definition of MotifDefinition of Motif

An event, device reference or An event, device reference or formula which occurs frequently in formula which occurs frequently in works of literature. works of literature.

FloralFloral

MotifMotif

So what’s the difference?So what’s the difference? The differences are minimal. The differences are minimal.

An archetype is described as a recurring symbol, theme, An archetype is described as a recurring symbol, theme, character, or setting in character, or setting in multiple worksmultiple works. It's something that's . It's something that's appeared in literature so often that it's very recognizable. appeared in literature so often that it's very recognizable. For example, an archetypical theme is "love conquers all." For example, an archetypical theme is "love conquers all." Where have we *not* seen that before? An archetypical plot Where have we *not* seen that before? An archetypical plot structure is the infamous love triangle.structure is the infamous love triangle.

A motif, though, is a recurring contrast, structure, or literary A motif, though, is a recurring contrast, structure, or literary device that comes back device that comes back in different formsin different forms. In . In Lord of the Lord of the FliesFlies, the beasties are symbols which are used as motifs , the beasties are symbols which are used as motifs which represents fear, but it comes in different forms. The which represents fear, but it comes in different forms. The motif is represented in motif is represented in oneone work, while an archetype may work, while an archetype may be recognizable in be recognizable in manymany works. works.

Examples of ArchetypesExamples of Archetypes

Characters Characters • Hero (think of the classic hero journey & Hero (think of the classic hero journey &

qualities of hero)qualities of hero) ““The main character leaves his or her The main character leaves his or her

community to go on an adventure, community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the performing deeds that bring honor to the community” (Herz and Gallo 121). community” (Herz and Gallo 121).

The courageous figure, the one who’s The courageous figure, the one who’s always running in and saving the day. always running in and saving the day.

• D’artagnan from D’artagnan from Three MusketeersThree Musketeers• John Wayne in most of his moviesJohn Wayne in most of his movies• HerculesHercules

Mother FigureMother Figure Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother) Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother) – –

comforts and directs child, especially when he or comforts and directs child, especially when he or she is confused and needs guidance. Represents she is confused and needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called on for help when it is powers that can be called on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to solve own needed. Helps young person to solve own problems (Knapp 71).problems (Knapp 71).

Earth MotherEarth Mother – This character is symbolic of – This character is symbolic of fulfillment, abundance, and fertility; offers fulfillment, abundance, and fertility; offers spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who she contacts; often depicted in earth colors, with she contacts; often depicted in earth colors, with large breasts and hipslarge breasts and hips

StepmotherStepmother

ExamplesExamples Fairy tales characters such as the stepmother in

Cinderella, fairy godmothers, Mother Goose, Little Red Riding Hood, Briar Rose, Pocahontas

Mythology: Persephone, Demeter, Hercate, Gorgon, Medusa

Literature: Gladriel from Lord of the Rings, Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, Dante’s Beatrice, Faulkner’s Light in August, Woolf’s To the Lighthouse

Movies: the Dad in Mr. Mom, the mother in Flowers in the Attic, Ripley with Newt in Aliens

The Great Teacher/MentorThe Great Teacher/Mentor

Wise old men/women – protects or helps Wise old men/women – protects or helps main character when he or she faces main character when he or she faces challenges.challenges.

Sometimes they work as role models and Sometimes they work as role models and often serve as father or mother figure. often serve as father or mother figure. They teach by example the skills They teach by example the skills necessary to survive the journey and necessary to survive the journey and quest.quest.

ExamplesExamples• Obi Wan KenobiObi Wan Kenobi• RafikiRafiki

The InnocentThe Innocent Child/YouthChild/Youth Inexperienced adultInexperienced adult The innocent, fearing abandonment, seeks safety.The innocent, fearing abandonment, seeks safety. Their greatest strength is their trust and optimism Their greatest strength is their trust and optimism

that endears them to others and so gain help and that endears them to others and so gain help and support on their quest.support on their quest.

Their main danger is that they may be blind to Their main danger is that they may be blind to their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They their obvious weaknesses or deny them. They also may become dependent on others to fulfill also may become dependent on others to fulfill their heroic task. their heroic task.

Frodo – Frodo – Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings

DoubleDouble DoppelgangerDoppelganger It is the double or mirroring or split personality or

good/evil It is the duplicate of an individual

or part of a divided individual Versions of the doppelganger are

found in dreams, myths, rituals ofprimitive people, folklore and literature and other art forms

Can have many names including the Other, the alter ego, the second self

ExamplesExamples• FrankensteinFrankenstein• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Sacrificial RedeemerThe Sacrificial Redeemer

““The protagonist is willing to die for The protagonist is willing to die for his or her beliefs; the main character his or her beliefs; the main character maintains a strong sense of morality” maintains a strong sense of morality” (Herz and Gallo 123).(Herz and Gallo 123).

Embodiment of divine power and Embodiment of divine power and being sent on a mission to being sent on a mission to save humanity.save humanity.• Jesus ChristJesus Christ• Erin Brockovich Erin Brockovich

Scapegoat/Sacrificial VictimScapegoat/Sacrificial Victim

The one who gets blamed for The one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether he everything, regardless of whether he or she is at fault.or she is at fault.• Snowball from George Orwell’s Snowball from George Orwell’s Animal Animal

FarmFarm• HassanHassan

VillainVillain

WolfWolf AntagonistAntagonist Bad GuyBad Guy Examples:Examples:

• Cruella DeVilleCruella DeVille

The SeaThe Sea

Vast, alien, dangerous, Vast, alien, dangerous,

chaoschaos Waves may symbolize Waves may symbolize

measures of time and measures of time and

represent eternity or represent eternity or

infinity infinity

IslandsIslands

Microcosms or small worlds unto Microcosms or small worlds unto themselvesthemselves

Represent isolation or get-a-waysRepresent isolation or get-a-ways

Actions/EventsActions/Events JourneyJourney – “The protagonist takes a journey, – “The protagonist takes a journey,

usually physical but sometimes emotional, during usually physical but sometimes emotional, during which he or she learns something about himself which he or she learns something about himself or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as or herself or finds meaning in his or her life as well as acceptance in a community” (Herz and well as acceptance in a community” (Herz and Gallo 112).Gallo 112).• LinearLinear• CircularCircular• QuestsQuests

Quest for material wealthQuest for material wealth Quest for security, as a secure place to liveQuest for security, as a secure place to live Quest for kinQuest for kin Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is Quest for global good, such as when a kingdom is

threatenedthreatened Quest for self, for self-identity or self-assuranceQuest for self, for self-identity or self-assurance

Rites of InitiationRites of Initiation

This is the process by which a This is the process by which a character is brought into another character is brought into another sphere of influence, usually into sphere of influence, usually into adulthood.adulthood.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Brunel, Pierre. Brunel, Pierre. Companion to Literary Myths, Companion to Literary Myths, Heroes and Archetypes. Heroes and Archetypes. New York: New York: Routledge, 1992.Routledge, 1992.

Franz, Marie-Louise von. Franz, Marie-Louise von. Archetypal Archetypal Patterns in Fairy TalesPatterns in Fairy Tales. Toronto: Inner . Toronto: Inner City, 1997.City, 1997.

Herz, Sarah K., and Donald R. Gallo. Herz, Sarah K., and Donald R. Gallo. From From Hinton to Hamlet: Building Bridges Hinton to Hamlet: Building Bridges Between Young Adult Literature and the Between Young Adult Literature and the Classics. Classics. 22ndnd ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood, ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2005. 2005.