ARCHETYPHAL

GROUP 3
 WHAT IS ARCHETYPHAL?

An archetype is a recurrent, universal pattern that evokes a deep,

emotional response in virtually all readers as it strikes a cord in
their unconscious memory.
Archetypal critics look for such patterns in literature, relying on
archeology, anthropology, psychology, history and religion to
identify and explain the total human experience.
“Explore the artist’s common humanity by tracing the how the
individual imagination uses myths and symbols common to
different cultures.”
Archetypal criticism suggest that all human experience is linked
through literature and that this experience is expressed again and
again using the same patterns throughout time and space.
W H E N A N D W H E R E T H E T H E O RY
WA S P R O P O S E D ?

Archetypal critcism came into prominence in the 1930’s and

1940’s
Continued to flourish in the 1950’s and 1960’s

It is originated during Greek and Roman eras

 PROPONENTS

The man proponent of the archetypal theory in the 20th century

was Carl Gustav Jung and the Canadian critic and scholar Northrop
Frye utilized the archetypal theory in criticism.
CARL JUNG
NORTHROP FRYE
 H O W T H E A R C H E T Y PA L T H E O R Y I S
U S E D I N A N A LY S I S

Archetypes can be:

symbols

 images
 characters

 plot structures
They are revealed in:
 myths

 religions and folklore

 dreams and fantasies
 POSITIVES

Allow the reader or audience to connect certain parts of

themselves with the characters.
Archetypes help writers establish contrasting characters

Common archetypes bring an aspect of realism to literature

or other media that helps the story jump off of the page and
into readers' hearts.
It acts as a powerful tool in teaching and in expressing
universal feelings, beliefs, and ideas.
When a reader is able to identify an archetypal character,
they can anticipate that character’s role and/or purpose in the
narrative
 NEGATIVES

Others believe that literary individuality is ignored with so much

emphasis on cycles and patterns.
Some critics argue that the theory is unnecessary because
archetypal approaches to literature can also be covered in
psychology, anthropology, comparative religion, and other fields.
Symbols can elicit multiple meanings, one might interpret a
literary work that is entirely different from the author’s intentions.