1. Michelle Santos, Hannah Steiner, and Jordan Morgan
The Prodigal Son
Michelle Santos, Hannah Steiner, and Jordan Morgan

2. The Prodigal Son Parable Synopsis
(from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible)
The son of a wealthy man is denied a share of his father's estate so he goes off and lives in a farway land. He recklessly spends his money and doesn't have a care in the world. A famine takes over the land and he is forced to start working. The father is so proud of him that it is a cause for celebration and the father and son reunite.

3. The Journey of the Prodigal Son
Father and son reunites or the son dies
Son of wealthy father grows up
Travels the world
Womanizer
Son gains back his senses
Wastes money
Son begins to get better
Father is disappointed but mother still loves him
Drastic change that causes son's change of heart
Continues being reckless

4. Example #1: Ariel from The Little Mermaid
    Ariel may not be a man but she is still fits the prodigal son archetype. Ariel is a reckless mermaid who goes off on an adventure. All she dreams about is walking on land. She disobeys her father by going to the evil sea-witch, Ursula, and sells her voice so that she can have legs. She walks on land and experiences new things, falls in love with a prince, and fianlly Ariel saves the day when disaster ensues. King Triton is proud of her and turns her into a human so she can live happily ever after.

5. Example #2: Faramir from Lord of the Rings
Faramir's situation as a prodigal son is slightly different from the normal examples. He grew up in the shadow of his favored brother and therefore was ultimately rejected by his father. Because of this, he went against all of his fathers wishes and led a battalion to protect a city his father had condemned to the uruk-hai. He was also reckless in his actions when he was in possession of the ring, though he sent it away for the betterment of Gondor after he realizes it is not the answer to his problems, which also angered his father. Because of his actions during the war, his father didn't recognize him as a son until he lay in a state of near death.

6. Example #3: Logan from Gilmore Girls
Logan Huntzberger comes from an incredibly weathly family. He has lived a privileged life, but has always clashed with his father. At Yale University he spends most of his days in a drunken stupor, parading around campus with his band of friends. He sleeps around until he meets a special girl. He starts becoming a better person, but after a while he begins a downward spiral. He ends up quitting his father's largely successful publishing company and severing all times with him.

7. Characteristics of the Prodigal Son
Comes from a wealthy family
Usually never works, or experiences hard labor
Sheltered upbringing
Loves to party and get with the ladies
Spends lots of money, usually his inheritence, on things he doesn't need
Always earns father's scorn, and sometimes the jealousy/hatred of younger brothers
Life changing journey in which his attitude is changed
Upon returning home, he is forgiven by family members, though sometimes brothers remain jealous and bring about his demise

8. Why Does the Prodigal Son Archetype Matter?
Don't disrespect your family because they are what really matters most
Don't take advantage of privledge
Hard work pays off