1. Archetypes and Symbols Communication Arts I

2. Archetypes zAn original model on which something is patterned or based za standard or typical example zThis is one way to study literature because it provides a framework to approach any piece of fiction zuniversal zviews literature as a reflection of life

3. Archetypes zComes from the psychology of C.G. Jung ydealt with man’s unconsciousness and subconscious thoughts, desires, and dreams yman has four basic needs: food, water, shelter and love

4. Archetypes zJung traveled extensively and concluded from observations that these patterns were so deeply imbedded in our psyches that they go back to prehistoric times-- they are a part of our collective memory as human begins (everyone’s memory). zThey have not changed and are present in all people.

5. Archetypes zPresent in the unconscious of the individual zThese symbols are inborn and understood like the instincts are passed on in animals zPart of the collective memory since prehistoric times zOccurs through all elements of the arts- literature, dance, painting, music and sculpture zUnderstood because they all come from nature or human nature

6. Archetypes of Literature zIn literature archetypes occur as: yCharacters ySymbols and Colors yThemes ySettings yLife cycles

7. The Archetypal Characters zHero zVillain zFair Maiden zMentor zSidekick or Evil Henchmen

8. The Archetypal Hero zHERO ycan either be male or female (in western literature, the hero is more often male) yUsually superior than common people in three ways: x1. Morally x2. Mentally x3. Physically

9. The Archetypal Hero zCan be physically inferior--Quasimodo, the Phantom, Dare Devil, and still be a hero. zCan be mentally inferior--Charlie from Flowers for Algernon and still be a hero. zHOWEVER, a hero cannot be morally inferior. yMoral superiority allows him to fight the villain, allowing good to triumph over evil

10. The Five Stages of a Hero’s Life zBirth/Childhood zPreparation zQuest zUltimate Battle zTriumphant Return or Death

11. 5 Stages of a Hero’s Life Birth z1. Birth/Childhood yThis is a sign that he or she is special yA hero’s birth or childhood is unusual or marked by something unusual. yExamples: Moses in the Bull Rushes, Macbeth who was “not of woman born”, Romulus and Remus (founders of Rome) who were raised by wolves, Luke Skywalker was orphaned, etc.

12. Stages of a Hero’s Life- Preparation z2. Preparation yA hero must prepare for surviving on his/her own, the quest and the ultimate battle. yUndergoes physical rigors yGoes through mental, moral and intellectual development yMentor acts as coach during this time

13. Stages of a Hero’s Life Quest z3. Quest yQuest is the perilous journey that the hero must go alone. No one may help. yThe hero can try out what he/she has learned yDuring the quest, hero travels to and through various wastelands. The hero sees the other side of life.

14. Stages of a Hero’s Life Ultimate Battle z4. Ultimate Battle yThe hero must use all the skills he has learned against the enemy. ySometimes he/she receives divine or other help but the hero must succeed on his/her own. yThe battle itself becomes the initiation into adulthood or elevates him/her to hero status.

15. Stages of a Hero’s Life Return or Death z5. Triumphant Return or Death yFinal Stage of Hero’s life yHero lives or dies yIf hero lives, xHe/she returns to homeland and is honored. xthe return is triumphant and usually the story ends there. yIf death occurs, xit is usually fantastic or dramatic. xsurvivors mourn the hero’s death and honor his deeds xusually the survivors build a monument in hero’s honor

16. Character Types - Villain zArchetypal Villain is: yThe counterbalance to the hero yUsually embodies the evil the hero must battle in his search for self and the conquest of evil yThwarts positive action of the hero

17. Character Types - Villain yUsually dark or clothed in dark clothes yIs the person the hero must battle in his search for himself yIs the person the hero must defeat to conquer evil. yExamples: Darth Vader, various dragons, the hell-hounds in Stephen King novels

18. Character Types - Fair Maiden/Love Interest zArchetypal Fair Maiden is: yThe romantic focus of the hero and/or the villain yThe victim who must be saved from evil. yPure and innocent of the world’s evil ways.

19. Character Types - Mentor zArchetypal Mentor is: yIs the one who prepares the hero for the journey and the ultimate battle yIs the person who provides the lessons the hero uses during the quest and ultimate battle yHas lessons that provide moral strength

20. Character Types--Mentor yMay give up his life or make sacrifice to save another or save the cause yKnown as the shaman or wiseman yExamples: Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) or Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

21. Character Types - Sidekicks or Henchmen zArchetypal Sidekick and/or Henchmen: yReinforces the heroic personality of the hero yOften adds humor or “warm fuzzies” ySupports or is the best friend of the hero/villain yExamples: xBatman and Robin, Lone Ranger and Tonto

22. Other Character Types zShaman/Wise Person zSiren/Seductress zWarrior

23. Archetypal Colors and Symbols zArchetypal colors get their meanings or symbolism through their existence in the natural environment. zThe colors have positive or negative meanings that are associated with.

24. Colors zRED ycomes from blood ysymbolizes passion (both love and anger) ysymbolizes courage, violence yassociated with sin (scarlet woman) yValentine’s Day

25. Colors zBLACK yrecalls the night ysource of fear, coldness, scary things of the night (evil) ydeath ysin yExamples: xPoe stories, Darth Vader, Bad Guys, mystery, the devil, not being able to see or penetrate the darkness yPositive: Elegance, sleekness, simplicity

26. Colors zWHITE ythink of snow, clouds yassociated with light, day, goodness ythings untouched by human hands ypristine ysymbolizes innocence and purity yExamples: xGood guys wear white hats, brides, fair maidens, knights, unicorns yNegative: Sterility, hot, pallor, blankness

27. Colors zBLUE yThink of the sky, or still water ysymbolizes peace, tranquility yNegative: bruising, sadness, lack of oxygen, and death

28. Colors zGOLD / YELLOW yThink of the sun ycreated in awe of people--wealth ythink of the precious metal ore yremains the same, does not tarnish ysymbols of gods and royalty yfullness of life, ripeness, harvest yNegative: deceit, cowardice, treason, jaundice, sickness

29. Colors zGREEN yThink of spring yfreshness yrenewal ysymbolizes growth, life and fertility yVegetation myths (their gods were little Jolly Green Giants--of the earth--rejuvenation each spring) yNegatives: Jealousy, Inexperience

30. Colors zPURPLE yRoyalty yPurple dye is hardest to process, only the wealthy could afford it. yWisdom, valor yNegative: bruising, rotten

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

32. Symbols zcommon symbol is the circle yreminds of the huddle around the communal fire of early man yinherent are bonds of family, unity, togetherness created by arms around each other stance in an embrace or hug yeternity built into the symbol because it has no beginning or end xexample: wedding ring--symbolizes unity and eternity in its circular shape.

33. Archetypal Themes zUsed in literature to express the need “to set the universe on the right course”. zBasis of legends and myths zHow we get heroes and villains zNeed for righteous life. zIt is the moral life succeeding zIt is what Carl Jung said was buried into the human soul.

34. Archetypal Themes z Think of themes of westerns, “Star Wars”, cartoons, comic books with heroes and villains, legends and myths. z The bad deserve to lose, the good should always win, the power of love should be stronger than the power of hate.

35. Archetypal Themes zThe 3 Big Ones: yLove conquers all yGood will triumph over evil yHate, if victorious, will destroy all

36. Setting zSetting includes time, place, and atmosphere zPay attention to the time of day a story takes place. zSettings are carefully chosen by the author to emphasize point of story zDAY=Good things, rational things zNIGHT=Bad things, lack of understanding

37. Setting zUsually two basic settings: yGarden OR Wasteland zOften find the journey is the destination

38. Setting: Garden zThe place that man has always struggled to return to (Eden) zThe symbol of a perfect society zWhere man “lives happily ever after” zThe final destination of the hero’s journey

39. 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

40. Setting: Garden zGarden Characteristics yWATER: xthe most important garden characteristic xcan’t live without it xLarge % of body composition xNeeded for crops, growth, rituals, transportation, renewal, cleansing xSome water is holy; some restores youth

41. Setting: Wasteland zWasteland Characteristics yEither no water or too much water yantagonism, hatred, war, problems ysociety is complex and difficult to understand yDangerous, unhappiness yExtreme temperatures: too hot or too cold yNature is not calm; it destroys (fire, flood, hurricane, droughts, plagues, etc.)

42. Setting: Wasteland yMan must work all the time yLoss of innocence yWasteland colors: gray, brown, black yIronically: as man attempts to build his own garden, he is often destroying it for others. Example: sometimes business men are so busy trying to work so their families can have garden existence (suburbs) that they create a wasteland of their lives (workaholics)

43. Archetypal Life Cycles zCycles are the circles or patterns of life zThey are understood by man as being constant and unchanging zA cycle repeats itself over and over zAlthough life ends for one it starts for another

44. Archetypal Life Cycles zAffirms Jung’s theory that we know some things by viewing our natural surroundings zHuman life Cycle yencourages thoughts of life after death ythe dawn follows night, spring follows winter

45. Archetypal Life Cycles zCommon Life Cycles yLife xbirth, childhood, adulthood, and death ySeasons xspring, summer, fall, and winter yTime xdawn, daylight, dusk, and night yMeals xbreakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner

46. Parallel Cycle zIn literature: yIf it’s night, presence of evil lurks yIf autumn, things will go sour soon