SYMBOLISM, ARCHETYPES, & PLOT PATTERNS

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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. 1816-1895

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

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 1904-1987

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