Archetypal Criticism An Introduction to Archetypes: The Jungian Approach

J UNGIAN A RCHETYPES Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung described several archetypes that are based in repeating patterns of thought and action that re-appear time and again across people, countries, and continents. He listed four main forms of archetypes: 1.The Shadow 2.The Anima 3.The Animus 4.The Self

The Shadow The Shadow reflects deeper elements of our psyche—where 'latent dispositions' (which are common to us all) arise—or something that was once split from us early in our lives. The Shadow tends to disobey rules and in doing so may plunge things into chaos and battle; however, the Shadow has a sense of the exotic and can be disturbingly fascinating.

THE WILD MAN/WOMAN HYBRID-PEOPLE MYSTERIOUS FIGHTERS DARK ENEMIES The Shadow appears as…

The Anima (male) The Animus (female) More simply, the Soul, the anima/animus is the route to communication with the collective unconscious. The anima/animus represents our true self, as opposed to the masks we wear every day. The anima/animus is the source of our creativity.

HEROES SUPER-HEROES GODS POWERFUL BEINGS The Anima/Animus appear as…

The Syzygy (divine couple) Combined, the anima and animus are known as syzygy The syzygy represents wholeness and completion— a combination that brings great power and omnipotence.

CHRISTIAN TRINITY (FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST) HINDU TRINITY (BRAHMA, VISHNU, AND SHIVA) The Syzygy can be found in religious combinations …

The Self The Self connects with and is part of the universe. It is the coherent whole that unifies both consciousness and unconsciousness and may be found elsewhere in such principles as nirvana and ecstatic harmony. The creation of the Self is a process of individuation: the process of psychological integration, having for its goal the development of the individual personality.

“RE-BIRTH” (RETURNING TO THE WHOLENESS OF BIRTH SPIRITUAL/MORAL RE-ASSESSMENT The Self is represented through. …

Other Archetypes Family archetypes ◦ The father = stern, powerful, controlling ◦ The mother = feeding, nurturing, soothing ◦ The child = birth, beginnings, salvation Animal archetypes ◦ The faithful dog = unquestioning loyalty ◦ The enduring horse = pertinacious ◦ The devious cat = self-serving, conniving

Other Archetypes Story archetypes ◦ The hero = rescuer, champion ◦ The maiden = purity, desire ◦ The wise old man = knowledge, guidance ◦ The magician = mysterious, powerful ◦ The earth mother = Nature ◦ The witch or sorceress = dangerous ◦ The trickster = deceiving, hidden ◦ The scapegoat = someone who pays for the crimes/sins of others

URSULA LEGUIN’S “THE ONES WHO WALK AWAY FROM OMELAS” Close Reading: Applying Knowledge of Jungian Archetypes

The Literary 3x3 Three, three-word sentences to state the essence of the work (“A Jury of Her Peers”) Apathy strangles devotion Tidiness uncovers truth Sympathy chokes justice Guilt creates bond Chair symbolizes satisfaction Bird justifies death Unpredicted fate evolves Curiosity unearths reality Empathy conceals truth Guilt consumes women Curiosity unveils evidence Lost heart’s saved

Create a 3x3 on your yellow card for “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” Archetypes include the scapegoat, an individual whose death--or, in this story, extreme maltreatment- -is believed to expiate the sins of a community. LeGuin calls stories with archetypal themes "pyscho myths," another Jungian term referring to the collective unconscious and the role in myths transcending human minds. ◦ "psycho myth" = a blend of psyche and myth: our psyche being what we think we are. ◦ According to LeGuin, these stories take place "out of real time" ◦ Though they are still fantasy or science fiction, elements of specific locale and characters are stripped down so that the archetypal theme takes on primary significance.

“The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” Science Fiction/Fantasy Pragmatism Allegory – political Allegory – religious Symbolism The meaning of the work as a whole