Archetypal Literature

A literary theory that is commonly accepted and often mentioned is that of archetypal literature. Carl Jung defined literature as something that refers to archetypes: universal images and motifs embedded in the human collective unconscious. This theory includes characters, symbols, and patterns that repeat across cultures and time, a sort of mythic DNA connecting all literature. All these pieces, heroes, villains, mentors, journeys, quests, good vs evil; they show up in new and interesting ways.

Some common archetypal characters include:

• the Hero: who undertakes a quest (like Harry Potter or Frodo)

• the Mentor: who guides the hero (Dumbledore or Gandalf)

• the Shadow: the dark opposite or inner fear (Voldemort or Darth Vader)

• the Trickster: who disrupts order and exposes the truth (Loki)

• the Mother/Caregiver: nurtures and protects (Moana's grandmother)

Some common archetypal themes include:

• the Hero's Journey

• Death and Revival (cycles of destruction and renewal)

• the Fall (loss of innocence)

• the Quest (search for love, truth, or identity)

• the Flood (a cleansing destruction)

Some common archetypal symbolism include:

• Light vs Darkness (knowledge vs ignorance)

• Water (purification, life, change)

• The Garden (paradise or innocence)

• The Journey (growth and transformation)

These are all pieces in literature that we commonly recognize and predict. In stories that we read we commonly attempt to predict the endings. Who did it? How did they do it? Where did they do it? It ends up reading like a big game of CLUE sometimes. Commonly, literature today frequently follows a cookie-cutter plot where the ending is obvious and inevitable. It takes away from the identity of each story. It is frustrating to delve into a story that will not surprise or challenge you. I find myself quitting books (scandalous I know) when I just get too annoyed at the lack of imagination and uniqueness.