Do Now Now: Grab your novels and read for 10 minutes. Remember to respond to at least one question on your reading response sheet. Then: Work on this week’s vocabulary list: www.vocabulary.com/lists/1332059 Keep in mind that this is the last cycle of the semester. Are YOU going to do EVERYTHING in YOUR power to ace this cycle and pass this course???

Universal Patterns in Literature Archetypes Universal Patterns in Literature

Why do we tell stories? To help us escape reality by entering a world where the good guy wins, the forces of evil are defeated, and love conquers all. To help define roles of “good” and “evil” --heroes and villains-- so that we can better recognize those with similar morals and motives in our real lives.

Storytelling is essential for the survival of humanity and provides hope. Stories connect us with our cultural and spiritual past. They help us understand many of our accepted traditions and rituals. They allow us to tell our own stories to others and, using archetypes, help us better relate to the stories of others.

But what is an Archetype? And what does it have to do with Heroes?

A Simple Definition… According to the American Heritage Online Dictionary…an archetype is an original model or type which other similar things are patterned after, in other words a prototype or first model for all others. Example: Frankenstein and Dracula are both archetypes that have influenced subsequent horror story characters – i.e. Freddy Krueger, Jason, Michael Myers, etc.

Let’s start with the two guys who came up with the concept: Joseph Campbell Carl Jung

Carl Jung first applied the term archetype to literature Carl Jung first applied the term archetype to literature. He recognized that there were universal patterns in all stories and mythologies regardless of culture or historical period and hypothesized that part of the human mind contained a collective unconscious shared by all members of the human species, a sort of universal, primal memory. Joseph Campbell took Jung’s ideas and applied them to world mythologies. In A Hero with a Thousand Faces, among other works, he refined the concept of hero and the hero’s journey—George Lucas used Campbell’s writings to formulate the Star Wars saga. Recognizing archetypal patterns in literature brings patterns we all unconsciously respond to in similar ways to a conscious level.

The term archetype can be applied to: An image A theme A symbol An idea A character type A plot pattern

Archetypes can be expressed in Myths Dreams Literature Religions Fantasies Folklore

What Archetypes Are You? Go to: https://lonerwolf.com/psychological-archetype-test Reflect on your life and take the psychological archetypes quiz. Post your top five traits on our class padlet: https://padlet.com/kdavis21/Archetypes

Characteristics of archetypes: Shared with all of humanity Connects us to past and future Express themselves in various forms Grow out of people’s social, psychological and biological beings Universal & keep common traits Cannot be explained by interactions among cultures Recurrent, happen over all generations & cultures

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an…archetype!

The Hero Hero=male Heroine = female This archetype embodies key traits valued by it’s originating culture. Generally superhuman Able to perform extraordinary deeds for others

The Young Person from the Provinces Hero/heroine is taken away as a young person Raised by strangers Later returns home where he/she is a stranger who can see new problems and solutions.

The Initiates Young hero/heroine who, prior to their quest, goes through training and ceremony Usually innocent and often wear white

The Tragic Hero An honorable protagonist with a tragic flaw (aka fatal flaw) This flaw leads to his or her demise The death of the tragic hero saves others in the story.

The Anti-Hero A character that has some characteristic that are anti-ethical Performs “heroic” acts that are not done in heroic ways.

Onto the ladies… Female Archetypes

Mother Goddess Ideas of nourishment and creation Worshipped as a source of life Has the ability to give new birth to objects that seem dead

The Temptress Sensual beauty Protagonist is physically attracted to her She ultimately brings about his downfall

The Platonic Ideal Source of inspiration & spiritual ideal Protagonist has intellectual rather than physical attraction toward her

The Unfaithful Wife/Friend Married to a man she sees as dull Attracted to a more desirable man

Damsel in Distress Vulnerable woman Must be rescued by the hero Often used to ensnare the hero

In General… Character Archetypes

The Trickster A “wise-fool,” rascal who looks out for himself Inventive agent whose actions can benefit human society Symbolizes humans’ excess & outrageousness

Mentors Serve as teachers or counselors to the initiates Sometimes role models and parental figure

Group of Companions Loyal companions willing to face any perils in order to be together

Loyal Retainers Protect the hero/heroine Reflect the nobility of the hero/heroine Somewhat like servants Heroic themselves

The Friendly Beast Animal that befriends man

Evil Figure with Good Heart Redeemable devil figure Saved by nobility (or love) of the hero/heroine

The Outcast Banished from social group for some crime against fellow people Destined to become a wanderer

The Devil Figure Evil incarnate Offers worldly goods (fame/knowledge) in exchange for their soul

The Scapegoat Public punishment and/or death gets rid of a sin that has been visited upon a community

The Creature of the Nightmare Monster Usually summoned from the deepest, darkest part of human psyche to threaten the hero/heroine.

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