1. Symbolic Approach to Literature Rich Gilliland & Eric Dunn

2. What  Universal symbols, patterns, & archetypes  Archetype: basic motif, theme, or model from which others are derived  Intuition/instinct  “Myths are the symbolic projections of a people’s hopes, values, fears, and aspirations.” –Wilfred L. Guerin

3. Jungian Archetypes  Carl Jung – worked with Freud  Archetypal development  Common Jungian archetypes in literature: The Child The Hero The Mother The Wise Old Man The Trickster (Fox)

4. Questions  Are there any symbolic images, strong communal beliefs, motifs?  Is there a plot pattern?  What archetypal situations are explored?  How does this piece relate to others (themes, plot elements, character archetypes)?

5. Advantages vs. Disadvantages  Insight into human nature  Subconscious author motives  Explains many seemingly abstract concepts  Wouldn’t it be nice to be connected?  Looking too far in?  Losing the personal interpretation?  Ignoring historical/ biographical pieces?  Archetypes sometimes differ across cultures

6. Do You Remember When…?  Joseph Campbell – The Monomyth  Huck Finn – classic American adventure story  Arthurian Legends – significance of numbers  Robert Langdon – symbolic approach to DaVinci art  List of common plots/themes

7. More Examples  The Matrix - Neo, Thomas A. Anderson, Morpheus  ET: The Extra -Terrestrial- ET is Christ-like  The Shawshank Redemption - Bible, water, Andy is Christ-like

8. How to Apply  Lord of the Flies: Perils of society without authority Ralph/Conch: leadership, authority Simon: Christ-like Jack: savage, uncivilized Piggy: physical weakness, mental strength

9. How to Apply  Animal Farm: Allegory for Russian revolution Without symbolism in mind, meaning is completely altered Windmill – Russia’s five year plan/Germany’s attack Pigs – loyalists to the communist party

10. Oedipus  Story was around before Sophocles  The Mother (Freudian/Jungian interp.)  The Child  The Hero (hubris)