Transcript Archetypal Criticism

Archetypal Criticism
Minnis
SJ Delta College
Definition
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Archetypal literary criticism
(from the Greek archē, or beginning, and
typos, or imprint)
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It is a type of critical theory that interprets
a text by focusing on recurring myths
and archetypes in the narrative, symbols,
images, and character types in a literary
work.
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According to Carl Jung, these patterns
are embedded deep in the "collective
unconscious" and involve "racial
memories" of situations, events,
relationships from time immemorial
Explanation
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The archetypal patterns will help clarify
the individual text by connecting it to
more universal patterns that often
transcend literature itself
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The “collective unconscious” is a set of
primal memories common to the human
race, existing below each person's
conscious mind. Archetypal criticism
assumes that there is a collection of
symbols, images, characters, and motifs
that suggest basically the same
response in all people.
The basis of archetypal criticism is that all literature consists of variations
on a great mythic cycle within the following pattern:
1. The hero begins life in a paradise (such as a
garden)
2. The hero is displaced from paradise
(alienation)
3. The hero endures time of trial and tribulation,
usually a wandering (a journey)
4. The hero achieves self-discovery as a result
of the struggles on that journey
5. The hero returns to paradise (either the
original or a new and improved one)
They believe that these archetypes are the source of much of literature's
power.
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archetypal women - the Good Mother, the Terrible Mother, and the Soul Mate
(such as the Virgin Mary)
water - creation, birth-death-resurrection, purification, redemption, fertility,
growth
garden - paradise (Eden), innocence, fertility
desert - spiritual emptiness, death, hopelessness
red - blood, sacrifice, passion, disorder
green - growth, fertility
black - chaos, death, evil
serpent - evil, sensuality, mystery, wisdom, destruction
seven - perfection
shadow- the darker, unconscious self,
persona- a man's social personality (usually the hero), and anima or "soul
image" (usually the heroine).
neurosis occurs when someone fails to integrate one of these unconscious
components into his conscious and projects it on someone else.
Hero archetype - The hero is involved in a quest (in which he overcomes
obstacles). He experiences initiation (involving a separation, transformation,
and return
Proponents
Carl Jung
 Jung addresses the
relevance of archetypal
theory in literature and the
arts most clearly in The Spirit
in Man, Art, and Literature
(1966) which contains two
significant essays on
literature and poetry (first
published 1922 and 1930).
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In Jung’s archetypal theory, the
unconscious mind plays a profound role,
and it has a purpose, which is to assist
individuals in maintaining a balanced
psychological state.
Northrop Frye (1912-1991)
Canadian literary critic, best
known as a major proponent of
archetypal criticism.
In this branch of literary criticism,
literature and other art forms are seen
as manifestations of universal myths
and archetypes (largely unconscious
image patterns that cross cultural
boundaries).
Frye’s most important work,
AnatomyofCriticism (1957), introduced
archetypal criticism, identifying and
discussing basic archetypal patterns
as found in myths, literary genres, and
the reader’s imagination.
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Frye’s works combine a formidable breadth of
knowledge with clarity of thought and an
accessible style. He was committed to literary
criticism as a vital component of cultural life
rather than an intellectual hobby.
Frye frequently addressed the pervasive
influence of the New Testament on Western
thought and writing, most notably in The Great
Code: The Bible and Literature (1982). His other
works include Fables of Identity: Studies in
Poetic Mythology (1963); A Natural Perspective (1965),
a study of the comedies of English poet and playwright William
Shakespeare; The Return of Eden (1965), a study of the works
of English poet John Milton; Fools of Time (1967), a study of
Shakespeare’s tragedies; and The Bush Garden: Essays on
the Canadian Imagination (1971), a study of 20th-century
Canadian poetry. Frye’s writings on literary criticism are
collected in The Well-Tempered Critic (1963), The Educated
Imagination (1964), The Secular Scripture (1971), and Words
with Power (1990).
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In literature, characters, images, and themes that
symbolically embody universal meanings and basic
human experiences, regardless of when or where they
live, are considered archetypes. Common literary
archetypes include stories of quests, initiations,
scapegoats, descents to the underworld, and ascents
to heaven.
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A symbol which recurs often enough in literature to be
recognizable as an element of one's experience
devises an elaborate classification of modes, symbols,
myths, and genres. It establishes a comprehensive
correspondence between the basic genres- comedy,
romance, tragedy, and irony. And the myths and
archetypal patterns associated with the seasonal cycle
of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Effect on Readers
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The death-rebirth theme is a pattern wherein it starts
with the quest by the protagonist who must leave
her/his home, travel into unfamiliar territory, meet a
guide, endure dangerous situations and adventures,
reach the object of his goal, gain important knowledge,
and return home with that knowledge to share with
others.
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The readers are able to recognize story patterns and
symbolic associations. Somehow, they are able to
form assumptions and expectations from the
encounters.
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Archetypal criticism is an attempt to bring
psychological analysis and reflection to bear upon the
imaginative experience communicated by literature,
and to examine those forms or patterns in which the
universal forces of human nature find objectification.
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Archetypal images and story patterns can
encourage readers to participate in basic
beliefs, fears, and anxieties of their age. These
archetypes constitute the clearness of the text
but also tap into a level of desires and
anxieties of people.
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Archetypal criticism helps in the deepening of
events into experiences. It provides a
universalistic approach to literature. It works
well with works that are highly symbolic.