1. Archetypes and Symbols

2. Archetypes in Literature zA universal pattern zProvides a framework for any piece of fiction zUses Literature as a reflection of life

3. Archetypes come from… zthe psychology of C.G. Jung ydealt with man’s unconsciousness and subconscious thoughts, desires, and dreams yfelt many of the ways we behave is human nature and is shared among cultures and time periods

4. Archetypes Origination zJung traveled extensively and concluded from observations there were patterns so deeply imbedded in our psyches that they go back to prehistoric times--they are a part of our collective memory as human beginnings. zThese patterns or archetypes have not changed and are present in all people.

5. So, what is an archetype? zSymbols and associations present in the unconscious of the individual zThese symbols are inborn and understood like instincts are passed on in animals zUnderstood because they all come from nature or human nature

6. Archetypes of Literature zIn literature archetypes occur as: yCharacters yColors ySymbols yThemes ySettings

7. Brainstorm of Archetypal Characters ********

8. The Archetypal Characters zProtagonist zAntagonist zReason zEmotion zSidekick zHenchman zSkeptic zGuardian zTemptation

9. The Archetypal Protagonist zProtagonist yMain character who helps to achieve the story’s goal and teach its lesson yThe archetypal protagonist is typically the hero or the good guy yEncounters obstacles or opposing forces throughout the story and then overcomes them

10. The Archetypal Protagonist zCan be physically inferior--ie. Quasimodo zCan be mentally inferior--ie. Charlie from Flowers for Algernon zHowever, an archetypal protagonist cannot be morally inferior. yMoral superiority allows him/her to fight the villain no matter his/her disadvantages, allowing good to triumph over evil.

11. The Five Stages of a Protagonist’s Journey zBirth/Childhood/Rebirth zPreparation zQuest zUltimate Battle zTriumphant Return or Death *Note: Depending on the piece of literature you’re reading, you may not experience all of these stages with the archetypal protagonist

12. Stages of a Protagonist’s Life: Birth 1. Birth/Childhood/Rebirth yNormally the audience can tell that he or she is special and different than most yIf the audience gets to experience the hero’s birth, it’s unusual or marked by something unusual. Note: yThis doesn’t have to be a physical birth. It can change in the way a character behaves or views the world, ultimately changing that character’s actions.

13. Stages of a Protagonist’s Life-Preparation 2. Preparation yA protagonist must prepare for surviving on his/her own, the quest, and the ultimate battle. xThis could be enduring physical rigors or tests, but it could also be building confidence to stand up to the opposing force. yGoes through mental, moral and intellectual development yTypically they have a mentor that acts as coach during this time

14. Stages of a Protagonist’s Life - Quest 3. Quest yTypically the hero must face the quest by himself, with no help. Note: The protagonist doesn’t have to literally go somewhere, but he should have to face a challenge on his own. yDuring the quest, the protagonist normally sees the other side of life (typically the more hateful side of life).

15. Stages of a Protagonist’s Life - Ultimate Battle 4. Ultimate Battle yDuring the ultimate battle is when the protagonist uses what he/she has learned during the preparation to defeat his/her enemy. ySometimes he/she receives divine or some other kind of help, but the protagonist must succeed on his/her own. yThe battle itself becomes the initiation into adulthood or elevates him/her to hero status.

16. Stages of a Protagonist’s Life: Return or Death 5. Triumphant Return or Death yFinal Stage of protagonist’s life yProtagonist either lives or dies yIf the protagonist lives, xhe/she returns to homeland and is honored or highly respected. xthe return is triumphant and usually the story ends there. yIf death occurs, xit is usually fantastic or dramatic. xsurvivors mourn the protagonist’s death and honor his deeds, learning from his wisdom and the lessons he taught.

17. Character Types - Antagonist zArchetypal antagonist is: yThe counterbalance to the protagonist/hero or the foil character yUsually embodies the evil the protagonist must battle in his search for self and the conquest of evil yTries to prevent the protagonist from being successful

18. Character Types - Antagonist yUsually wears dark clothing yIs the person the protagonist must battle in his search for himself and to conquer evil.

19. Character Types - Reason zThe Reason Archetypal Character is… ycalm, collected, and cool. yis seen as organized and logical. ydoesn’t think from his heart. ycan be seen as the voice of reason.

20. Character Types - Emotion zThe Archetypal Emotion is… ydriven by feelings. ywears his heart on his sleeve. yoverly emotional whether it be happy, sad, scared, mad, etc. yseen as frantic and disorganized

21. Character Types- Sidekick zThe archetypal sidekick is… ythe faithful supporter of the protagonist yloyal

22. Character Types- Henchman zThe archetypal henchman is… ythe faithful supporter of the antagonist. yNormally isn’t entirely bad, but he or she goes along with the antagonist all the same.

23. Character Types - Skeptic zThe archetypal skeptic… yhas disbelief in the protagonist. ynotes the indicators that foreshadow failure. ySometimes the same character functions as the skeptic and reason.

24. Character Types - Guardian zThe archetypal guardian… yfunctions as a teacher, helper, or mentor. yis a protective character who eliminates obstacles and illuminates the path ahead. yhelps the protagonist stay on the proper path to achieve success.

25. Character Types - Temptation zThe archetypal temptation… yworks to place obstacles in the path of the protagonist, and to lure him away from success. yis similar to a henchman Note: Whereas the antagonist wants to prevent the protagonist from making progress and stop him from succeeding, temptation only delays or diverts the protagonist for a time.

26. Archetypal Colors & Symbols zAll colors have positive and/or negative meanings that are associated with them.

27. Archetypal Colors & Symbols Let’s Brainstorm ideas we have about certain colors… Blue

28. Colors zRED ysymbolizes passion (both love, anger, hatred, etc.) ycomes from blood and symbolizes courage and violence yassociated with sin (scarlet woman)

29. Colors zBLACK ysource of fear and coldness yassociated with the night and evil doings yreminds people of death yassociated with sin yrepresents the unknown, which can be scary ypositives: elegance, sleekness, simplicity, wisdom

30. Colors zWHITE yassociated with day light and goodness yrepresents purity and innocence yNegative: Sterility, death, terror, supernatural

31. Colors zBLUE ysymbolizes peace and tranquility yrecalls thoughts of water yNegative: bruising, sadness, lack of oxygen, and death

32. Colors zGOLD / YELLOW ythink of the sun, which gives life yassociated with wealth yremains the same, does not tarnish ysymbols of gods and royalty yfullness of life, ripeness, harvest ywisdom and enlightenment yNegative: deceit, cowardice, treason, jaundice, sickness

33. Colors zGREEN ythink of spring and new life or new opportunities yget a sense of freshness ysymbolizes growth, life, and fertility ymoney and wealth yNegatives: Jealousy, Envy, and Inexperience

34. Colors zPURPLE yRoyalty & wealth yPurple dye is hardest to process, only the wealthy could afford it. yWisdom, valor yNegatives: bruising and being rotten

35. Symbols zSomething concrete or real things that represent something zexamples:

36. Symbols: The Circle zReminds us of bonds in relationships, unity, and togetherness zRepresents an eternity because it has no beginning or end yExample: wedding ring--symbolizes unity and eternity in its circular shape. zReferences royalty yExample: A crown

37. Other Symbols zWater: birth-death-resurrection; creation; purification and redemption; fertility and growth; rebirth. yExample: Baptism zRising sun: birth, creation, enlightenment. zSetting sun: death. zSerpent (snake, worm): symbol of evil, corruption, sensuality, and destruction.

38. Archetypal Themes zUsed to teach people how to act and what is expected of them. zIs the moral of the story.

39. Brainstorm of Archetypal Themes **********

40. Archetypal Themes z Think of themes of westerns, “Star Wars”, cartoons, comic books, any story with heroes and villains, legends and myths.

41. Archetypal Themes We mainly see the idea that… zthe bad deserve to lose, and the good should always win zlove conquers all zgood will triumph over evil zhate, if victorious, will destroy all zthe power of love should be stronger than the power of hate. Note: This isn’t always the case. But, normally, if things don’t go as planned, a lesson is learned that makes the tragedy worth it.

42. Setting zSetting includes time, place, and atmosphere

43. Brainstorm of Archetypal Settings **********

44. Setting zPay attention to… y the time of day a story takes place. xNight=BadDay=Good yThe season in which it takes place. xWinter & Fall=BadSummer & Spring=Good

45. Expectations of the Setting zSpring - rebirth; genre/comedy. zSummer - life; genre/romance. zFall - death/dying; genre/tragedy. zWinter - without life/death; genre/irony.

46. Setting zSettings are carefully chosen by the author to emphasize the point of a story zDay is looked at as a time when rational things occur and characters think before they act. zWhereas night is looked at as a time when bad things happen and there is a lack of understanding and rational behavior

47. Setting zUsually two basic settings: yGarden OR Wasteland xGarden: paradise, innocence, unspoiled beauty. xWasteland: spiritual aridity; death; hopelessness.

48. Setting: Garden zThe symbol of a perfect society zWhere man “lives happily ever after” zWhere characters are happy and thriving and find peace zThe final destination of the hero’s journey

49. Setting: Garden zEternal Spring yTemperate climate yAbundance of everything (food, water, shelter) yInnocence and simplicity of life yHarmony between man and man, man and nature. yThere is leisure time and love. zIn short, this is utopia zGarden colors are green and gold

50. Setting: Garden zGarden Characteristics yMade up of water yMade up of sunlight and growth (both physically and spiritually)

51. Setting: Wasteland or Desert zWasteland Characteristics yNormally an extreme. For example, it’s either too hot or too cold. yFilled with hatred, war, or other problems. yThe society is complex and difficult to understand. yIt’s dangerous and filled with unhappiness yNature is not calm; it destroys (fire, flood, hurricane, droughts, plagues, etc.)

52. yMan must work all the time yLoss of innocence yNever a feeling of satisfaction or relief yWasteland colors: gray, brown, black Setting: Wasteland or Desert

53. The Goal of Archetypes zIn literature, the reader should be able to make assumptions about the story based on archetypes. These sorts of things should give you clues as to where the story is headed or what type of person each character is without even having much information.