1. SYMBOLISM, ARCHETYPES, & PLOT PATTERNS

2. I. SYMBOLISM A symbol is something that stands for something else
A person, place, thing, or event that represents something beyond its literal meaning to the story

3. II. ARCHETYPES
A recurring pattern found in the mythology, religion, and stories of all cultures and time periods
These patterns can be found in characters, symbols, themes, and plots
Why are they important?
Archetypes help us realize that we have common traits that we share with others outside of our culture.
Since archetypes are universal and timeless, they help us interpret situations and characters that might be quite different from ourselves.

4. III. SOME COMMONLY USED ARCHETYPES
The Mother
Symbolizes growing, dependence, self-concern, nurturing
The keeper and protector of life
The Father
Symbolizes independence or a giving nature
Often acts as a protector or guide

5. C. WATER Most commonly represents birth and rebirth
It also serves as a symbol for separation, union, life, and destruction

6. D. THE COLOR BLACK E. THE COLOR RED
Can represent evil, death, terror, chaos, and the unknown
E. THE COLOR RED
Most commonly used to represent love.
Can also be a symbol for death, murder, and lust

7. F. THE RISING SUN G. THE SETTING SUN
Represents new life, beginnings, birth, hope, and peace
G. THE SETTING SUN
Often represents death, endings, and no hope
Can also be used to represent the movement towards the unknown, ignorance, or despair

8. H. THE CAVE OR HUT
i. Used to represent the womb

9. IV. THE HERO ARCHETYPE
Usually the hero is from a mysterious origin, born under unusual circumstances, or born in secret
They are often are physically set apart from others or emotionally feel like it
Has an “I can do anything” attitude
Performs great deeds
Goes on a quest

10. V. WHY DO WE HAVE A NEED FOR HEROES?
Role models – we want to strive to be like someone better than us.
Want someone to pave the way for all of us – someone to “break the mold”
Someone to make the world safe at an unsafe or uncertain time.

11. VI. PLOT PATTERNS IN LITERATURE
Throughout cultures and times, certain patterns of story-telling exist.
These patterns contain a specific formula of events that drive the story, its central conflict, and theme.

12. C. FREYTAG’S PYRAMID
Gustav Freytag was a Nineteenth Century German novelist who saw common patterns in the plots of stories and novels.
In 1863, he wrote Die Technik des Dramas in which he developed a diagram to analyze these stories and novels.
He diagrammed the story's plot using a pyramid.

13. FREYTAG'S PYRAMID
CLIMAX
FALLING ACTION
RISING ACTION
DÉNOUEMENT
INCITING INCIDENT
EXPOSITION
RESOLUTION

14. D. THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Joseph Campbell was a theorist in the 1920s who began to study myths and legends.
He found a pattern that spanned all cultures and all ages, which he developed into his theory of “The Hero’s Journey.”
It models human experience, describing the patterns of life, growth, and experience

15. STAGE TWO: TRANSFORMATION
STAGE ONE: SEPARATION
STAGE THREE: RETURN
Call to Adventure
Reward
Threshold Guardians
The Return
The Known
The Unknown or Shadow Realm
Crossing the Threshold
Helpers
Revelation
Tests
STAGE TWO: TRANSFORMATION
Transformation
Abyss or Supreme Test