Even though I haven't read much into mythology yet, the Archetypes are definitely reminding me of movies. Most action movies definitely have many similarities with the bad guy, the hero, a quest, a love story. All of these components make a good action movie.
Thinking even deeper even some chick flicks have archetypes from mythology; one example is "Pretty in Pink". Andie is the hero, she and her friend are the outcasts, the evil figure is the "popular" clique. Star crossed lovers is Andie and Blane who's love is interrupted by his friends ridiculing him and "killing" his love for her. Her father is the old wise man, the fall when her love and best friend won't talk to her and the journey ends when she shows up at the dance without Blane and shows her strength. Of course there is a happy ending and she overcomes her shame of how she isn't as priviledged as other kids. Even better is that the hero is a woman!
That might be stretching the ideas of the Archetypes but this is the closest example the high school kids could to relate to.
Well, this actually makes me wonder... Why do we have to relate mythology and archetypes to other people's stories and plot lines. Why not our own? Think about it, how many heroic-like journies have you experience throughout your life time so far? I'm sure there are a few, I'm just having troubles pinpointing examples.
ReplyDeleteThat is true,we should think of examples in our lives too. We shouldn't be relating to "made up" stories from Hollywood. I don't know if I would consider myself as the hero of the story, maybe the outcast, platonic idea or the wise old man.
ReplyDeleteThat's a slightly pessimistic way to look at it. Whereas you're after all the only one living YOUR OWN life, if you know what I mean. I guess you could look as the points from birth to death are the beginning and end? And our whole entire journey is based on succeeding at whatever our goals and dreams are set out to be. But then again... That doesn't completely fall under the Departure, Initian, etc. plan. Hmm?
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean by that we are the heros of our own lives and our journey is our path. The thing is that we aren't only apart of our lives, we have to be a character in someboday else's life too.
ReplyDeleteYou've both made me realize so much about archetypes relating to my own life! Yanna, I kind of disagree with what you've said about our lives NOT falling under the Hero's Journey "plan". In a more broadened way, I think our lives actually can be summed up into a Hero's Journey, or at least several smaller 'Hero's Journies'. If you really think about it, there are several departures and initiations (etc.) in significant events that occur in our lives.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, It's just a little vague to wrap your head around... Seeing as a normal human being wouldn't consider themselves a celebrity or hero if just living day-to-day life. I guess any success that we accomplish falls under that category. My strongest example right now would have to be going to university/college. We depart from our homes, and the general journy is to conquer knowledge. And in the end we grow wise and come back to society, which is our family. And our training is our high school preparation and such.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Quinlyn's idea of each person playing a role in someone else's journey.... I like that idea. It allowed me to come up with a very strong point actually. I realized that the part that each person should play out is the role of the Mentor. Because we are here to guide each other. But in human nature some fall under the Devil Figure and others don't. That really gives me something to think about, what do you guys think?
I think that there are countless examples of heroes in everyday life, our own and the lives the the people around us. For example, only a few months ago there was a huge fiasco about a local taekwondo instructor in public schools-
ReplyDelete(http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/2009/12/11/12124971.html)
I don't mean to depress everyone with that touchy story, but I truly believe that the girls, regardless of the odds stacked up against them, the fear and the lengthy process that is Canada's court system, who were able to find the courage and strength to come forward and help put this man away are heroes. United, They are protecting any others who might have suffered this experience in the future. Might this be what you meant by 'each person playing a role in someone else's journey'?