+ Language Arts – Grade 12 March 20 th, 2013

+ Standard 1, Objective 3, Section B Use vocabulary and text elements and structures to comprehend Joseph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness. Comprehend and compare culturally and historically significant archetypes. Analyze archetypes in works from a variety of cultures and historical periods (e.g., the questing hero, the trickster, the anti-hero, the superhero).

+ Researchers, such as Carl Jung, have been able to collect and compare myths, legends, and religions of cultures from all around the world. They discovered that for centuries, people who had NO contact with each other had passed down stories through generations that were similar to the stories of other cultures. For example, there are hero/villain myths from ancient Greece that have similar constructs to stories from the Navajo tribes. The basic elements of these stories are called ARCHETYPES.

+ An archetype is a character, action, or situation that is a prototype (or pattern) of human life. A situation that occurs over and over again in literature Archetypes can be: Characters: The Hero Settings: The Wilderness Quests: Attempt to overcome evil

CharacterDescriptionExample The Hero A larger-than-life character that often goes on some kind of journey or quest Little or nothing is known of his childhood In the course of his journey, the hero demonstrates the qualities and abilities valued by his culture Hercules (Greek Mythology/Disney) Beowulf King Arthur Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) Frodo (The Lord of the Rings) Harry Potter

CharacterDescriptionExample The Father Figure The protector and leader. Loving, kind and authoritative, but not wrathful. His guidance and knowledge lawfully lead his family through the generations. In western culture, it also serves as a role model for adolescent males by showing them what manhood should be. Mufasa (The Lion King) Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia)

CharacterDescriptionExample The Sage/ Wise Old Man Represents knowledge, spirituality of soul, and insight. Shows profound wisdom. Often serves as a substitute for father figures to The Heroes in training. Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) Dumbledore (Harry Potter) Ben Kenobi (Star Wars) Yoda (Star Wars) Merlin

CharacterDescriptionExample The Villain The antagonist (opposes the protagonist). Constantly plotting. Often working against the hero to succeed in their own end. Sometimes out to make mischief for mischief's sake. Offers worldly goods. Mr. Burns (The Simpsons) Iago (Othello) Voldemort (Harry Potter) Mordred (King Arthur) Scar (Lion King)

CharacterDescriptionExample The Damsel in Distress Woman who needs to be rescued. Persecuted maiden. Often a young virgin. Usually placed in bad situation by The Villain. The helplessness of the damsel in distress is often portrayed as foolish and ineffectual. Rapunzel (not Disney Version) Snow White Sleeping Beauty Daphne (Scooby Doo) Princess Peach (Mario Bros) Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars)

CharacterDescriptionExample The Underdog Characters who are always in the wrong place at the wrong time, but who usually win something of value in the end A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest. Has low societal status. Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter) Seabiscuit Wilbur (Charlotte’s Web) Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings) Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men) Oliver Twist

PlaceDescription The Crossroads The place of suffering and decision Dark PlacesThe inability to see. Represents unhappiness, distress, or gloom The Wilderness The place where rules don’t apply, and people and things run wild. The Winding Stair The long and difficult way into the unknown.

Patterns The Quest to Know Who You Are The Quest to Find Knowledge The Quest to Find the Promised Land or to Build a Beautiful City The Warrior’s Quest to Save the People and Rid the Land of Danger The Quest to Get Revenge The Quest for Fame and Fortune The Fool’s Quest (a silly person saves the land because of his innocence or foolishness) The Search for Love (to rescue the princess)

What other type of Archetypes can you think of?

+ ~ Portfolio Assignment ~

+ Addict Artist Coward Dictator Goddess Innovator Mystic Politician Puppet Redeemer Robot Scout Seeker Sage Student Vampire Warrior ~ Portfolio Assignment ~ Actor Anarchist Caregiver Companion Dreamer Fool Healer Knight Poet Rebel Scholar Sidekick Storyteller Thief Networker Visionary Avenger Athlete Bully Clown Craftsperson Damsel Diva Gambler Gossip Judge Lover Nature Boy/Girl Pioneer Rescuer Scribe Spoiler Teacher

+ Imagine the archetype you chose is sitting in a chair across from you. What kind of questions would you like to ask that archetype? How do you think it would respond? Allow the archetype to respond, the answers coming from the deepest levels of your own intuition. Or simply ask yourself, and wait for the answer to come to you. ~ Portfolio Assignment ~

+ Here’s the assignment - Decide between these three: Write a letter to your archetype asking questions. Then write a response letter from the archetype. When writing the response you should consider with what voice that archetype would respond, would it be the same as your voice? Write a dialogue between you and your archetype as if you were conducting an interview. Once again, pay attention to voice. Would you archetype respond to the questions the same way you would? Grab a blank body template. Draw a line down the middle of the body. Use your artistic skills and draw yourself as you see in the mirror on one side and the vision of your chosen archetype on the other side. Use the questions on the next slide to fuel your drawing. ~ Portfolio Assignment ~

+ Here’s some example questions you can use to get started (remember to phrase the questions as interview questions to your archetype): What events or personal characteristics led me to choose this archetype? How long has this archetypal pattern been a part of my life? What role has this archetype played for me? Which prominent people have interacted with this archetype? (For instance, if it's the Teacher archetype, think of the people who have played important roles in your own education or inspired you to be a teacher to others.) What relationship might it have to my personal unfinished business - to those people I haven't forgiven, or to events in the past that I can't let go of? And might this archetype now help me in healing those situations? What myths, fairy tales, or spiritual stories that have meaning for me do I associate with this archetype? Has this archetype appeared in my dreams? Does thinking of this archetype make me feel empowered or disempowered? ~ Portfolio Assignment ~