Archetypal Criticism

Introduction to Archetypal Criticism

Archetypal criticism is a literary theory that examines the underlying universal symbols, themes, and character archetypes found in literature across different cultures and historical periods.

It is rooted in the work of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who proposed that these archetypes are part of the collective unconscious shared by all humans. Archetypal critics analyze texts to reveal the deeper, often mythic, layers of meaning and to explore how these archetypal elements resonate with the human experience. This approach offers insights into the enduring and cross-cultural significance of certain narrative patterns and symbols in literature.

Criticism Against Archetypal Criticism

1. Overgeneralization and Reductionism:

• Critics argue that archetypal literary theory tends to oversimplify complex characters and narratives by reducing them to basic, pre-defined archetypes. This oversimplification can lead to a lack of depth and nuance in the analysis done from this perspective.

2. Lack of Empirical Evidence:

• One of the main criticisms against archetypal literary theory is its reliance on universal, innate symbols and patterns without substantial empirical evidence to support its claims. The theory often relies on subjective interpretations rather than concrete data.

3. Cultural and Historical Limitations:

• Archetypes are often based on Western cultural and historical perspectives, not applicable or relevant to all literary works, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds. This limitation can lead to a narrow understanding of non-Western literature.

4. Disregard for Individuality and Originality:

• Critics argue that archetypal criticism tends to overlook the uniqueness and individuality of literary works and authors. By focusing on recurring patterns, the theory may neglect the specific artistic intentions and innovations of writers.

5. Ambiguous Archetypal Definitions:

• The definitions of archetypes can be vague and open to multiple interpretations. This ambiguity can lead to varying analyses and potential misinterpretations of literary works, causing disagreements among scholars.

6. Incompatibility with Modern and Postmodern Literature:

• Some critics assert that archetypal literary theory is better suited for analyzing traditional and classical literature rather than modern and postmodern works, which often challenge or subvert traditional archetypal patterns.

7. Neglect of Socio-Political and Historical Contexts:

• Archetypal criticism may place less emphasis on the socio-political and historical contexts in which literary works are created, leading to an incomplete understanding of the complexities and influences shaping the texts.

8. Lack of Authorial Intent Consideration:

• The theory may not adequately address the intentions and conscious choices of authors, as it focuses more on underlying patterns than the author’s specific creative decisions.

9. Subjective Interpretations:

• Archetypal literary theory allows for subjective interpretations, which can result in varying and potentially biased analyses based on the personal beliefs and experiences of the critic.

10. Ignores Evolution of Meanings and Symbols:

• Critics argue that archetypal theory can neglect the evolution of symbols and meanings across different historical periods and cultures, leading to an anachronistic analysis of certain works.

Notable Critics Against Archetypal Criticism

Criticism against archetypal criticism as a literary theory includes the following:

1. Roland Barthes: French literary theorist and philosopher who argued that the idea of a universal, shared set of archetypes is a myth and that meanings are created through social and cultural practices rather than innate human experiences.
2. Raymond Williams: Welsh cultural theorist who criticized archetypal criticism for being ahistorical, and argued that the meaning of literary works is always shaped by the social and historical context in which they were produced.
3. Michel Foucault: French philosopher and historian who challenged the idea of a universal, shared set of archetypes, arguing that knowledge is always shaped by power relations and historical context.
4. Edward Said: Palestinian-American literary critic who criticized archetypal criticism for being Eurocentric and failing to take into account the cultural traditions of non-Western societies.
5. Homi Bhabha: Indian cultural theorist who argued that archetypal criticism is limited by its emphasis on fixed, universal meanings, and that the meanings of literary works are always shaped by the process of cultural translation and negotiation.

Examples of Archetypal Criticism

1. The Hero’s Journey in The Lord of the Rings: Archetypal critics often analyze J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings, through the lens of the hero’s journey archetype. Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring exemplifies the stages of a hero’s journey, including the call to adventure, trials and challenges, and ultimate transformation.
2. The Trickster Archetype in The Catcher in the Rye: In J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, can be seen as embodying the trickster archetype. He challenges societal norms and engages in rebellious behavior, reflecting the trickster’s tendency to disrupt the status quo.
3. The Mother Archetype in Beloved: Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved explores the mother archetype through the character of Sethe, who exhibits both nurturing and destructive maternal qualities. Archetypal analysis reveals the complexity of motherhood and its impact on the characters and their lives.
4. The Quest for Identity in The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby can be examined through the archetype of the quest for identity. Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of the American Dream and his reinvention of himself highlight the universal theme of seeking one’s true identity and place in society.
5. The Heroine’s Journey in Jane Eyre: Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre offers an example of the heroine’s journey archetype. Jane’s development from an orphaned, mistreated child to an independent and self-assertive woman follows a narrative pattern that resonates with the journey of female protagonists in many classic works of literature.

Keywords in Archetypal Criticism

1. Archetype: A universal symbol or motif that recurs across different cultures and time periods, representing a fundamental human experience or trait.
2. Collective Unconscious: A concept in Jungian psychology, referring to the inherited pool of shared experiences, memories, and symbols that all humans share and that influence our behavior and perceptions.
3. Myth: A traditional story or narrative that conveys deep cultural, religious, or psychological meaning through archetypal symbols and motifs.
4. Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent complex or abstract ideas, emotions, or themes.
5. Characterization: The process of creating fictional characters who embody archetypal qualities or who serve as representations of larger symbolic concepts.
6. Allegory: A literary work in which characters, events, or settings serve as symbolic representations of abstract ideas or moral lessons.
7. Journey/Quest: A recurring motif in archetypal criticism that refers to the hero’s journey, a narrative pattern in which a character embarks on a physical or spiritual journey to achieve a goal or gain knowledge.
8. Transformation: The process of a character undergoing a fundamental change in personality, identity, or worldview, often as a result of encountering archetypal symbols or undergoing an archetypal experience.
9. Mythic Criticism: A subset of archetypal criticism that focuses specifically on the analysis of mythic elements and motifs in literature.
10. Jungian Criticism: A school of criticism that uses the theories and concepts of Carl Jung, a prominent psychoanalyst and psychologist, to explore the archetypal and symbolic dimensions of literature.

Suggested Readings about Archetypal Criticism

1. Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Bollingen Foundation, 1949.
2. Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 1957.
3. Jung, Carl G. Man and His Symbols. Dell Publishing, 1968.
4. Neumann, Erich. The Origins and History of Consciousness. Princeton University Press, 1970.
5. Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale. American Folklore Society, 1958.
6. Samson, Maud Bodkin. Archetypal Patterns in Poetry: Psychological Studies of Imagination. Oxford University Press, 1934.
7. Segal, Robert A. Myth: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2004.
8. Stevens, Anthony. Archetype: A Natural History of the Self. Routledge, 1982.
9. Wheelwright, Philip Ellis. Metaphor and Reality. Indiana University Press, 1962.
10. Zimmer, Heinrich. Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization. Princeton University Press, 1946.