Archetypes
Characters, Images,
Situations
2016
Life of Pi
What is an archetype?
• In literature, an archetype is a typical character, an action or a
situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human
nature.
• An archetype, also known as a universal symbol, may be a character,
a theme, a symbol, or even a setting.
• Many literary critics are of the opinion that archetypes, which have a
common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or
entire human race, shape the structure and function of a literary work.
• Examples:
• Every fairy tale has a princess, prince, king, queen, “wicked witch”,
hero, “damsel in distress,” etc…
• Almost all pieces of literature and even movies, regardless of their
genre, have a theme of good versus evil to show a clash of forces.
Usually, good will triumph over evil (but not always).
2
How will we analyze
archetypes?
Compare/ contrast by analyzing several archetypes found in Life of Pi - the
novel versus the movie.
What to consider:
How does the movie’s “effects” (music, imagery, colors, speech, etc) show the
book’s portrayal of the archetypes?
Does the movie adhere to the archetypes’ symbolism and underlying meanings?
Does the movie delete or alter certain archetypes?
When you are tested on Life of Pi, it will be in the form of a comparison/ contrast argument
essay. You will be able to and required to use the provided book/ movie comparison/ contrast
chart. The chart will count as points toward your essay test grade and will be collected with
your test. The book WILL NOT be used on the day of the test, so the more thorough your
chart is, the easier it will be. You may choose to include quotes on your chart.
3
Characters:
The Hero &
Variations
•
•
•
The orphaned prince
The scapegoat – takes
blame for a situation
and is often punished
The loner or outcast:
separates from society
due to a physical
impairment or an
emotional/
physiological
realization that makes
the character different.
(Buddha, Victor
Frankenstein, Jesus)
● The underdog
More “heroes”
•
•
•
•
The Earth mother/
goddess: nurturing,
life giving aspect of
femininity
The spirit or
intellect
The sage: elderly
wise man, teacher,
mentor.
The oracle: male or
female prophet;
fortune teller
The Villain
•
•
•
•
•
The bully
The temptress:
usually a female
who uses her
power to bring the
hero to his
destruction.
The Earth mother/
goddess: nurturing,
life giving aspect of
femininity
The spirit or
intellect
The sage: elderly
wise man, teacher,
mentor.
Archetypal Images
•
•
•
•
Colors: red, gold,
green, blue, etc
(anything that is
repeatedly
encountered)
Water: source of
life; cleansing,
purification,
baptism
Fire: both
protective and
destructive;
human
knowledge (sun)
Gardens: natural
abundance; new
birth; hope; Eden;
paradise
More images
• Celestial bodies: sun,
moon- passage of time;
stars
• Masculine images/
symbols: boats, trees,
towers
• Caves: can represent the
womb (source of life) and
the grave; entrance to
underworld
• Yin and yang: pair of
opposites that
complements or even
completes the other;
balance
Archetypal Situations
•
•
•
•
•
The Quest
The Faustian
Bargain: selling
one’s soul to the
devil
(metaphorically)
in exchange for
power,
knowledge, etc
Descent into the
underworld
Renewal of life:
death and rebirth;
resurrection
The fall: marks a
loss of innocence;
moving toward a
tainted life
More situations
•
•
Redemptive
sacrifice: a loss
that results in
another’s gaining
or regaining a
desired state
The taboo: the
commission of a
culturally
forbidden act
(incest, patricide,
etc) often
unknowingly or
inevitably. A
crime against
nature.