Journal #29: Archetypes & Motifs Learning Targets: Students will be able to identify the difference between a symbol and a motif and consider its impact on a work of literature. Students will be able to list common archetypes. Students will be able to define archetype and consider its impact on a work of literature.

Symbol and Motif: What’s the difference? A reoccurring object in literature that figuratively represents another idea or thing and is almost always related to the theme. A reoccurring object in literature that figuratively represents another idea or thing and is almost always related to the theme.

Some of the things we’ve thought were symbols, in past novels, were actually motifs!!

Some of the things we’ve thought were symbols, in past novels, were actually motifs!! Writing Poetry Women sitting by the window: Esperanza’s grandmother Mamacita dreaming of home Esperanza and 4 Skinny Trees Rafeala drinking papaya juice Minerva sitting by a broken window

Some of the things we’ve thought were symbols, in past novels, were actually motifs!! The golden carp The Virgin of Guadalupe Ultima’s owl Dreams: Antonio’s dreams Water: The river Holy Water The presence of the river The underground lake The Marez family

Discuss with a partner to create a hypothesis: What’s the difference between a symbol and a motif?

Definitions Symbol Motif A specific and static reoccurring object in literature that figuratively represents another idea or thing and is almost always related to the theme. A reoccurring object, literary devices**, or plot structure** in literature that figuratively represents another idea or, always related to the theme or the author’s purpose. Motifs appear in different contexts (i.e. water appearing in different ways) or be dynamic Motifs can be reoccurring literary devices

Three different types of Motifs: Reoccurring Dynamic Objects A (1) reoccurring object, (2) literary device**, or (3) plot structure** in literature that figuratively represents another idea or thing, always related to the theme or the author’s purpose. Motifs appear in different contexts (i.e. water appearing in different ways) or be dynamic Motifs can be reoccurring literary devices Three different types of Motifs: Reoccurring Dynamic Objects Literary Devices Plot Structures

1. Reoccurring Dynamic Objects (symbolic motifs) What are the different types of water in Bless Me, Ultima? How many?

2. Repetition of Literary/Language Devices Slaughterhouse Five is a satirical anti-war novel about a man who is ‘stuck in time’ and keeps ending up at the bombing of Dresden during WWII. The phrase “So it goes.” appears 99 times over the 105 page novel. Look at your page with random pieces of Slaughterhouse Five: How does Kurt Vonnegut use the motif of “So it goes.” to build his anti-war message? Let’s write a thesis!

2. Repetition of Literary/Language Devices Example: Characterization of Horse “’Bullshit!’ Horse cried out. They called him Horse because his face looked like the face of a horse, and he was always stomping at the ground.” (Anaya 36). “Horse neighed loudly. ‘Hey, Florence, top this one!’ Again he cleared his throat and spit.” (Anaya 37). “His dark, wild eyes held me hypnotically, and I could hear the deep sounds a horse makes inside his chest when he is ready to buck.” (Anaya 39). “That year a pissing contest was held behind the school house, and Horse won,” (Anaya 76).

2. Repetition of Literary/Language Devices Example: Characterization of Horse “Horse's … I thought he would bolt. His big horse-eyes looked up at me nervously.” (Anaya 155). “Horse smiled into my face. … His horse-eyes were wild with excitement and his big, yellow teeth chomped on something that smelled like spoiled eggs.” (Anaya 202). “Horse whinnied and reared up and Bones was on him” (Anaya 195). “Horse, sensing something he could not understand, began to get nervous.” (Anaya 209).

3. Repetition of Plot Structures People confessing to Antonio: Lupito Narciso The boys “Cures”: each cure is different but represents the juxtaposition between Ultima’s power and the Church’s Chapter Seis Chapter Diez Chapter Viente Antonio running from/towards death: Luptio Narcisco Chapter Vientedos Antonio’s Dreams

Archetypes

What are the similarities of these characters?

What are the similarities of these characters?

What are the similarities between these stories?

Thinking Questions Write down and answer each question: Why do so many stories share a similar plot? Why do so many different characters in stories fit into a type like ‘sidekick’ or ‘hero’ or ‘evil villain’? How does culture shape this?

Archetypes Theory Definition Archetypes are universal (1) motifs, (2) character types, and (3) plots that appear in literature, movies, oral tradition, myths, etc. across all time and all* cultures.

Plot (Situation) Archetypes The Quest The Fall (from high to low standing) The Rebellion Loss of Innocence The Creation Story The Initiation The Task Nature vs. the Mechanical World Good vs. Evil Coming-of-Age The Unhealable Wound Death and Rebirth The Ritual Cinderella (Rags-to-Riches)

Example: Cinderella (Rags to Riches)

Cinderella (Rags to Riches)

Cinderella (Rags to Riches) and Syncretism

Character Archetypes The Hero The Temptress The Mentor The Reluctant Hero The Sage The Warrior The Sidekick The Star-Crossed Lovers The Friendly Beast The Bully Evil Incarnate (The Dark Lord) The Mad-Scientist The Outcast The Trickster The Fallen Hero The Initiates The Damsel in Distress The Scapegoat The Betrayer The Wanderer The Unfaithful Lover The Innocent One (pure soul) The Earth Mother

Archetypal Motifs Water: purification, cleansing, source of life and sustenance Fire Desert Sunrise Darkness Being Dirty Sun/ Stars/ Moon Dreams “Donning” of Armor Colors: Red: blood, anger, passion, violence Gold: greatness, value, wealth Green: fertility, luxury, growth Blue: peace, serenity

Archetypes… So what? Why might archetypes matter? Talk with a neighbor and be ready to share: Why might archetypes matter? How can archetypes help us understand literature?

Archetypes… So what? Archetypes appear in stories from all cultures across all of recorded history. Psychologist Carl Jung suggested that this means that there are certain universal thinking patterns and understandings that are common among all peoples. Jung hypothesized that part of the human mind contained a collective unconscious shared by all members of the human species, a sort of universal, primal memory. This posits that the stories we tell and characters who inhabit them are biologically predetermined? It is the universal part of the definition that is important

Task With a partner create a poster for your assigned archetype(s) that: Label the archetype Provide a description List 3 common examples Has a colorful drawing Fill in your chart and tape it into your notes when finished on others’ posters.

The Fall The Mentor B. These individuals serve as teachers or counselors to the initiate archetype. Serve as role-models or motherly figures often. They teach by example the skills necessary to survive the journey or quest archetypes. C. Dumbledore, Gandalf the Grey, Ultima B. This describes a descent from a higher to lower state of being, an experience which might involve defilement, moral corruption, or loss of innocence. This fall is often accompanied by a punishment, such as an expulsion from paradise. C. Adam & Eve, Oedipus in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Lear in Shakespeare’s King Lear

Symbolizes: loss of innocence, poverty, loss Motif: Being Dirty Symbolizes: loss of innocence, poverty, loss

Task Create a poster for your assigned archetype that includes the following information: Label the archetype Provide a description List 3 common examples Has a image There will be links on Smith’s website for the information. Due Monday 3/5

Options for Posters Characters: Situations: Motifs: The Hero The Betrayer The Initiate The Outcast The Damsel in Distress The Earthmother Evil Incarnate The Temptress The Sidekick The Star-Crossed Lovers The Scapegoat The Sage Situations: The Quest The Unhealable Wound The Task The Initation Motifs: Water Sunrise/Light

Adventure Time: “City of Thieves” http://www.hulu.com/watch/763646

HW Thesis Purple = 1) Specific and 2) clear On a separate piece of paper rewrite the thesis about water as an archetypal motif in Bless Me, Ultima. Then color code your thesis: Purple = 1) Specific and 2) clear Green = 1) Arguable and 2) answering the question Red = So what? and/or effect on Bless Me, Ultima and/or complex

Purple Green Red

Archetype/ archetypal Motif Water 1st Period Purple Green Red “Bless Me, Ultima” Rudolfo Anaya Archetype/ archetypal Motif Water “water is an archetype for destruction” “powerful and destructive” “cleansing” “symbolizes purity” “water will destroy sinners according to the golden carp” “allows Antonio to recognize/consider other powers besides the Catholic God” “shape Antonio’s potential future” “change the way Antonio’s” “change the readers understanding of the book” “create a sense of magical realism”

Purple Green Red “cleansing” “enemy” Purity “Represents…” 2nd Period Purple Green Red “Bless Me, Ultima” “Water” “Motif” “archetypes” or “archetypal” Rudolfo Anaya “cleansing” “enemy” Purity “Represents…” “water is an archetype for destruction” “reflects the way water is seen” “effects Antonio because of the figurative water in his blood” “Water occurs in many ways” “change the readers understanding of the book” “create a sense of magical realism” “allows Antonio to recognize/consider other powers besides the Catholic God”

Purple Green Red “Bless Me, Ultima” “Antonio” Rudolfo Anaya Water Archetype / Archetypal Ultima Motif Sin Symbolizes… Purity Cleanliness/cleansing/ Destruction “leading to Antonio’s religious struggle” “cleanse the town of its sins” “illustrates Antonio’s loss of innocence” “change the readers understanding of the book” “create a sense of magical realism” “allows Antonio to consider other powers besides the Catholic God” 3rd Period

Purple Green Red Motif Water Archetype / Archetypal Rudolfo Anaya Bless Me, Ultima Antonio Purification / Purify Death and Rebirth “symbolizes…” Life Hope Cleansing Punishment Sin “change the readers understanding of the book” “create a sense of magical realism” “allows Antonio to recognize/consider other powers besides the Catholic God” “Understand how certain scenarios playout” 5th Period

Evidence

Analysis– write 1 sentence of all 3 types 1. Explains concrete specific details (evidence) when they are unclear.  DON’T RESTATE THE OBVIOUS. 2. Draws analytical conclusions about concrete specific details. BE CAREFUL NOT TO MAKE TOO BIG OF LEAPS, however you are making leaps! 3. Draws connections from concrete specific details to both Body (paragraph) Thesis Statement and thesis. CONNECTIONS SHOULD BE LOGICAL & WELL-DEVELOPED. AVOID REPETITIVE CONNECTIVE COMMENTARY.