Archetypes in Literature
• “A universally recognizable element . . . that recurs across
all literature and life (Latrobe 13). Psychologist Carl Jung
called these elements a kind of “collective unconscious” of
the human race, prototypes rather than something gained
from experience. The word is derived from the Greek:
arche, original, and typos, form or model; thus, original
model (Latrobe 13).
Definition Continued
• An archetype is the first real example or prototype of
something (as the Model T is the prototype of the modern
automobile). In this sense an archetype can be
considered the ideal model, the supreme type or the
perfect image of something (Brunel 111-112, 114).
Definition Finished
• A key to understanding folk literature is to understand
archetypes. “An archetype is to the psyche what an
instinct is to the body. . . . . Archetypes are the psychic
instincts of the human species.” (Edinger as quoted in
Knapp 10). Archetypes are universal in human beings.
Archetypes result in a deep emotional response for
readers.
• “Archetypes are repeated patterns that recur in the
literature of every age” (Sloan 48).
Hero
“The main character leaves his or her community to go on an
adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community”
(Herz and Gallo 121). This character brings about stability by
eliminating evil and evil-doers.
Pygmalion Heroes
• Liza Doolittle has heroic qualities because she is a person
who strives for what is beyond her and wants to achieve
greatness, yet lacks the consistent courage and power of
a super hero.
• So she’s heroic in her perseverance and having all the
human faults we do that could have prevented her
continued efforts but pushing past them.
The Pygmalion Myth
• Liza is also an aspect of the statue, Galatea, in that she
becomes Higgins’s finest work to date.
• The relationship is far more complicated than the myth,
though, so don’t expect a romantic ending here.
Mother Figures
• Fairy Godmother (surrogate mother)—comforts and
directs child, especially when he or she is confused and
needs guidance. Represents powers that can be called
on for help when it is needed. Helps young person to
solve own problems (Knapp 71).
• Earth Mother: Female or feminine power associated with
nature
• Stepmother: The outsider who uses her power over the
husband to put her own needs, and that of her own
offspring, ahead of his children.
Examples
Pygmalion
• Mrs. Pearce is a mother figure to Higgins in her role as
care-taker and reminder of rules and boundaries in
society.
• She’s also a bit of a middle class gate between upper
class Higgins and lower class visitors.
• Higgins’s mother, too, follows the mother archetype, but is
far different in her relationship with Henry because her
relationship is more of loving tolerance than direct
nurturing.
• Liza has no mother figures in her life except
stepmothers—so you draw conclusions about her feelings
there.
Father Figures
• The range is stern, authoritative disciplinarian to the goofy, lovable big kid—Fathers come in all shapes and sizes. Any male character who takes on any parental duty for an extended period can be said to have aspects of this archetype.
Pygmalion
• Henry said outright he
will be worse than two
fathers to Liza once he
begins teaching her.
• Pickering says he will
be responsible for Liza
once she becomes a
student.
• Let’s not forget her
actual father, Alfred
Doolittle, who is
actually the worthless,
abusive version of the
father archetype. His
charm and self-
awareness make it
easier to take.
• The great teacher/mentor—often one who trains the
hero to realize his/her full potential
Teacher/Mentor
• In addition to the sculptor Pygmalion, Higgins is a teacher.
• So is Pickering.
• So is Mrs. Pearce.
• So is Mrs. Higgins.
• All in relation to giving lessons to Eliza in helping her
become the person she is in the end.
Trickster
Character who deliberately misleads others or is hiding
their true nature.
VillainPerson who is dedicated to stopping the hero and
spreading chaos and evil.
Temptress
• Enchantress/Temptress: Uses her sexual/magical powers
to side-track the hero.
The Innocent
• Character not wise in the ways of the world
• Child/Youth
• Inexperienced adult
• Pygmalion: Liza is
the innocent one through
most of the first three acts.
The Underdog
• Character who is perceived as a victim or loser but
overcomes the odds to be the hero. Who could be that in
the play?
Place Archetypes
• Garden
• Cultivated and carefully planned. Restricted to certain
vegetation
• Tree
• Represents life and knowledge
• Caves and tunnels
• Deep down where character delves into self
• Place that character goes when “invisible” or inactive
• At the extreme may signify death
Place Archetypes• The River
• Crossing river may symbolize new territory
• Rivers can be boundaries or borders & on the other side is
something new or different
• May represent human life or time passing as we follow the river
from its source to its mouth
• The Sea
• Vast, alien, dangerous, chaos
• Waves may symbolize measures of time and represent eternity or
infinity
• Fountain
• Stands for purification; the sprinkling of water (baptism) washes
away sin. Water of fountain gives new life (Knapp 32).
Action/Plot Archetypes
• Rites of initiation
• Parental Conflict and Relationships
• “The protagonist deals with parental conflict by rejecting or bonding
with parents” (Herz and Gallo 117).
• Coming of age
Archetypal Plots
• The Test or Trial
• “In the transition from one stage of life to another, the main
character experiences a rite of passage through growth and
change; he or she experiences a transformation” (Herz and Gallo
115).
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