The mom archetype is a racial stereotype originating in the US, depicting a large, motherly black woman with exaggerated features. It has its origins in slavery, where black slave girls were used as nurses for white children. The stereotype has persisted in American entertainment, advertising, and culture, and is considered offensive by many. Aunt Jemima […]
The trickster archetype is a commonly understood idea with permanent power in human society, often used in storytelling and related to literature and the arts. It can be a harmless or formidable character, and is present in many cultures and mythologies. Studying the trickster archetype can provide insight into a society’s literary conventions and deeper […]
The wizard archetype is a common character in fantasy fiction, often serving as a mentor with magical abilities. Examples include Gandalf, Dumbledore, and Merlin. This archetype can also be devious, as shown by Saruman and Morgan Le Fey. The Merlin-style archetype serves a higher purpose and looks towards the bigger picture. However, the “parachute mage” […]
The hero archetype is a character who saves people, does the right thing, and fights monsters. It originated in ancient Greece and has evolved over time. Heroes are strong in physical and moral character, with special skills to aid their good works. Variants include action heroes, superheroes, would-be heroes, and anti-heroes. Examples range from Achilles […]
The shadow archetype is the unconscious side of a personality that a person represses, first coined by Carl Jung. It represents the dark forces of human nature and is part of the collective unconscious. People must unite their conscious self with their unconscious drives and instincts in order to be psychologically healthy. The shadow archetype […]
Jungian archetypes are figures or roles based on the concept of archetypes within the collective unconscious, proposed by Carl Jung. There are four main figures: shadow, self, anima, and animus, and other archetypes are assigned to those around them. Characters in literature often represent these archetypes. A Jungian archetype is a figure or role based […]
The mother archetype is an idealized version of a mother that represents what humans want in a mother. It is used in storytelling, mythology, and psychology. Carl Jung believed it existed in children from infancy, while Sigmund Freud theorized it developed over time. Archetypal mothers are often linked to the idea of the Great Mother […]
Archetypes are widely recognized and used character types in literature, often originating from ancient mythology and folklore. They can be based on real people or purely fictional, and their use in literature can have various effects. While it may be difficult to break away from archetypes, skilled writers can introduce unique traits to challenge conventional […]
