Mother Archetype in Literature & Literary Theory

Mother Archetype: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term mother in “mother archetype” finds its roots in Old English “modor,” Middle English “moder,” and Proto-Indo-European “méh₂tēr.” Beyond linguistic evolution, the concept of a mother is deeply ingrained in human culture, symbolizing the nurturing and protective aspects associated with caregiving and creation.

Meanings and Concept:

Nurturer and Caregiver	Creator and Life-Giver	Protector and Comforter
The mother archetype embodies the nurturing figure, providing emotional support, guidance, and sustenance.	As a creator, the mother archetype is associated with the origin of life, both biologically and metaphorically, symbolizing birth and new beginnings.	Acting as a protector, the mother archetype offers a sense of security and comfort, shielding from harm and fostering a safe environment.
Symbol of Unconditional Love	Source of Wisdom and Intuition	Transformation and Growth
Unconditional love is a hallmark of the mother archetype, representing a boundless and selfless devotion to one’s children or those under their care.	Mothers are often seen as bearers of wisdom and intuitive insight, tapping into a profound understanding that goes beyond logic and reason.	The mother archetype is linked to transformative experiences, guiding individuals through the journey of personal growth, change, and self-discovery.
Cultural and Mythological Significance	Archetypal Mother Figures	Shadow Aspects
The mother archetype holds immense cultural and mythological significance, appearing in various religious and folkloric narratives as a symbol of life and fertility.	Archetypal mother figures, such as Mother Earth, the Virgin Mary, or Demeter, play central roles in shaping cultural narratives and collective consciousness.	Like any archetype, the mother has shadow aspects, potentially manifesting as overprotectiveness, smothering, or possessiveness, highlighting the complexity of this multifaceted archetype.

The mother archetype, with its rich historical and psychological connotations, continues to be a powerful symbol that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.

Mother Archetype: Definition of a Theoretical Term

The mother archetype is a theoretical concept in analytical psychology introduced by Carl Jung, representing a universal and innate psychological pattern related to maternal figures. It embodies archetypal qualities associated with nurturing, caregiving, and the transformative aspects of creation and growth. Jung proposed that this archetype influences human behavior, shaping perceptions of motherhood, and manifesting in cultural symbols, myths, and personal experiences.

Mother Archetype: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorists:

• Carl Jung:
  • A Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology.
  • Introduced the concept of archetypes, including the mother archetype, as innate, universal symbols in the collective unconscious.
• Joseph Campbell:
  • An American mythologist and writer.
  • Explored archetypal themes in myths and introduced the Hero’s Journey, highlighting the mother archetype’s significance in the hero’s quest.

Works:

• Carl Jung:
  • The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious: Explores the concept of archetypes and their impact on human experiences.
  • Man and His Symbols: Discusses symbols, including archetypes, and their psychological significance.
• Joseph Campbell:
  • The Hero with a Thousand Faces: Outlines the Hero’s Journey and the role of archetypes, including the mother, in mythological narratives.
  • The Masks of God series: Explores the commonality of myths across cultures, touching on archetypal themes.

Argument:

• Carl Jung’s Archetypal Theory:
  • Jung posited that the mother archetype is ingrained in the collective unconscious, shaping human behavior, dreams, and cultural symbols.
  • Believed archetypes serve as universal symbols, transcending cultural differences and providing a shared human experience.
• Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey:
  • Campbell emphasized the mother archetype’s importance in the Hero’s Journey, symbolizing birth, guidance, and transformative support.
  • Argued that the mother archetype plays a crucial role in the hero’s quest for self-discovery, offering wisdom and nurturing throughout the journey.

Mother Archetype: Major Characteristics

• Nurturing and Caregiving:
  • Symbolizes unconditional love, emotional support, and maternal care.
  • Literary Example: Molly Weasley in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
• Creator and Life-Giver:
  • Represents the origin of life, both biologically and metaphorically.
  • Literary Example: Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest and fertility.
• Protector and Comforter:
  • Serves as a source of security and comfort, shielding from harm.
  • Literary Example: Ma Joad in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.
• Symbol of Unconditional Love:
  • Epitomizes boundless and selfless devotion to one’s children or those under care.
  • Literary Example: Mrs. Darling in J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan.
• Source of Wisdom and Intuition:
  • Portrays maternal figures as bearers of wisdom and intuitive insight.
  • Literary Example: Mother Abagail in Stephen King’s The Stand.
• Transformation and Growth:
  • Linked to transformative experiences, guiding individuals through growth.
  • Literary Example: Marilla Cuthbert in L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.
• Cultural and Mythological Significance:
  • Holds importance in cultural narratives and myths as a symbol of life and fertility.
  • Literary Example: Mother Earth in various mythologies worldwide.
• Archetypal Mother Figures:
  • Central roles played by archetypal mothers in shaping cultural narratives.
  • Literary Example: Mother Gothel in the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel.
• Shadow Aspects:
  • May exhibit overprotectiveness, smothering, or possessiveness.
  • Literary Example: Margaret White in Stephen King’s Carrie.

Mother Archetype: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Mother Archetype
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Central in exploring characters’ psychological development, especially in terms of familial relationships and maternal influences. Freudian and Jungian theories often examine the impact of the mother archetype on character behavior and symbolism.
Feminist Criticism	Examines how the mother archetype reinforces or challenges traditional gender roles. Can scrutinize the portrayal of mothers in literature, highlighting stereotypes or empowering depictions that contribute to feminist discourse.
Archetypal Criticism	Mother archetype embodies universal symbols, offering a lens to analyze recurring themes in literature. Archetypal critics study how these maternal figures reflect shared human experiences, cultural values, and collective unconscious elements.
Reader-Response Criticism	Considers readers’ emotional responses to mother figures, exploring how personal experiences and cultural backgrounds shape interpretations. The mother archetype can evoke varied responses, influencing readers’ connections to characters and narratives.
Postcolonial Criticism	Explores how the mother archetype may be portrayed in colonial and postcolonial literature, addressing themes of cultural identity, displacement, and the impact of colonization on familial structures.
Marxist Criticism	Analyzes the mother archetype in the context of social and economic structures. Examines how representations of mothers may reflect or challenge prevailing class distinctions and power dynamics within a given society.
Structuralist Criticism	Investigates the mother archetype’s role within narrative structures and binary oppositions. Analyzing the mother as a structural element helps understand how she contributes to the overall meaning and organization of the literary work.
Postmodernist Criticism	Challenges traditional representations of the mother archetype, often deconstructing and subverting established norms. Postmodern literature may present unconventional mother figures, questioning societal expectations and norms surrounding motherhood.

The mother archetype proves to be a versatile and multifaceted concept that resonates across various literary theories, providing rich avenues for analysis and interpretation.

Mother Archetype: Application in Critiques

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

• Psychoanalytic Critique:
  • Examines the impact of Daisy Buchanan’s role as a mother on her daughter, Pammy.
  • Investigates the psychological implications of Daisy’s motherhood on her choices and relationships.
• Feminist Critique:
  • Explores the representation of motherhood and femininity in the contrasting characters of Daisy and Myrtle Wilson.
  • Analyzes how societal expectations of women and mothers influence the characters’ decisions.

2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini:

• Archetypal Critique:
  • Examines the portrayal of Hassan’s mother, Sanaubar, as a complex mother archetype figure.
  • Analyzes how the absence of a mother influences Amir’s character development and relationships.
• Postcolonial Critique:
  • Considers the impact of political and social upheaval on maternal relationships in Afghanistan.
  • Explores how cultural and historical factors shape the portrayal of motherhood in the novel.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood:

• Feminist Critique:
  • Explores the role of mothers within the dystopian society of Gilead.
  • Analyzes how the protagonist, Offred, navigates motherhood under oppressive societal norms.
• Reader-Response Critique:
  • Considers readers’ emotional responses to the protagonist’s experiences as a mother in a totalitarian regime.
  • Examines how the mother archetype resonates with readers’ personal beliefs and values.

4. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:

• Archetypal Critique:
  • Examines the role of Okonkwo’s mother and other maternal figures in Igbo society.
  • Analyzes how the mother archetype contributes to the novel’s exploration of cultural traditions and societal changes.
• Postcolonial Critique:
  • Considers the impact of colonialism on Igbo family structures and motherhood.
  • Explores how the clash of cultures influences the portrayal of maternal figures in the novel.

Mother Archetype: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Archetype	Innate, universal symbol or theme, such as the mother, recurring in literature and human culture.
Collective Unconscious	Carl Jung’s concept of shared, inherited memories and ideas influencing human experiences.
Feminine Mystique	The idea, explored by Betty Friedan, of societal expectations and limitations on women’s roles.
Maternal Instinct	Innate maternal behaviors and nurturing tendencies observed in various animal and human species.
Nuclear Family	A family unit consisting of parents and their children, often associated with societal norms.
Matriarchy	Social structure or system where women hold primary positions of power and authority.
Motherhood Penalty	Societal disadvantages or discrimination faced by women, especially mothers, in the workplace.
Mother Tongue	One’s native language learned from one’s mother, reflecting cultural and linguistic identity.
Attachment Theory	Psychologist John Bowlby’s theory on emotional bonds, emphasizing the importance of maternal care.
Matrilineal Society	A social system where descent, inheritance, and kinship are traced through the mother’s lineage.

Mother Archetype: Suggested Readings

1. Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press, 1949.
2. Friedan, Betty. The Feminine Mystique. W. W. Norton & Company, 1963.
3. Jung, Carl G. The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press, 1968.
4. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Alfred A. Knopf, 1987.
5. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter Series. Scholastic, 1997-2007.
6. Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1989.
7. Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1985.
8. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. William Heinemann, 1958.
9. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925.
10. Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books, 2003.