Archetypes

10th Grade English

Rachel Colvin
 Carl Jung
• Collective unconscious
– All humans have a common psychological
predisposition.
– Evidence in art, dreams, religion, myth, and the
themes of human relational/behavioral patterns
– Jung theorized that certain symbolic themes exist
across all cultures, all epochs, and in every
individual.
http://en..wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Jung
 Archetypes
• Archetype is defined as the original model of which
all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are
merely derivative, copied, patterned, or emulated.
The term is often used in literature, architecture, and
the arts to refer to something that goes back to the
fundamental origins of style, method, gold standard,
or physical construct.

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetypes
 So What?
• Understanding archetypes will help us
comprehend literature, poetry, film, etc.
• Understanding archetypes will give us a
foundation to analyze and critique works of
art.
• Understanding archetypes will help us to
understand ourselves and others.
 Mother Figures
• Fairy Godmother
– Wizard of Oz
• Stepmother
– Cinderella
• Earthmother
– Star Wars
 Great Teacher/Mentor
• Wise old men/women
– Mighty Ducks, Hans
– Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobe
– Lord of the Rings, Gandalf
– The Matrix, Morpheus
– Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Master Splinter
– Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Zordon
 The Double Personality
• Lord of the Rings, Frodo
• Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker
• The Importance of Being Earnest, Jack
Worthing
• Jekyll and Hyde, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde
 Helping Animals
• Shrek, Donkey
• Star Wars, Ewoks
• Cinderella, Mice
• Aladdin, Abu
 Damsel in Distress
• Star Wars, Princess Leia
• Shrek, Princess Fiona
• Aladdin, Princess Jasmine
• Rapunzel
 The Giant/Monster/Ogre
• Shrek, Shrek
• The Odyssey, The Cyclops
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Green
Knight
• The Sandlot, The Beast
• Jaws, The Great White Shark
• Moby Dick, Moby Dick
 Villain
• Batman, The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin,
Catwoman
• Shrek, Lord Farquaad
• Aladdin, Jafar
• Sleeping Beauty, Malefocent
• Star Wars, Darth Vader
 Evil Figure
• Star Wars, Stormtroopers
• Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, The Putty
Patrol
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Foot Clan
• The Godfather, The Mafia
 Settings
• Garden
– The Garden of Eden
• Forest
– Sherwood Forest
• Caves/Tunnels
– Monty Python and the Holy Grail
 Journey
• Linear, Circular, and Quests
Material Wealth – Indiana Jones
Kin – The Rainman
Good – Lord of the Rings, Star Wars
Self – Zoolander, The Royal Tenenbaums
 Rites of Initiation/Coming of Age
• The Breakfast Club
• The Outsiders
• Catcher in the Rye
• Lord of the Flies
• The Sandlot
 Transformation
• Power Rangers
• Superman
• Scrooge
• Hulk
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
 Death and Rebirth
• Lord of the Rings, Gandalf
• Jesus
• X-Men, Jean Gray