Archetypal literary criticism is based on the works of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell and examines recurring characters, themes, and plots in literature that are derived from ancient mythology and religion. Key concepts in archetypal criticism include archetypes, which are original patterns or figures like "The Hero" that reappear across stories. A fundamental archetypal plot is the hero's journey, where a protagonist moves from innocence to experience by descending into danger, battling monsters, and returning home transformed. Critics following this approach believe it reveals deep truths in literature but it is limited as it only analyzes works through the lens of archetypes.

1. Archetypal
Literary
Criticism

2. Historical Context
• Based on works of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell (and
myth itself)
• Popular in 1950s and ‘60s due to Canadian, Northrop Frye

3. Definition
• Archetypal critics
believe that literature
is based on recurring
images, characters,
narrative designs and
themes.
• Origins of western
literature in Judeo-
Christian scripture
and Greco-Roman
mythology

4. What is an archetype?
• Arche “first” and typos
“form”
• An original model or
pattern from which copies
are made

5. Fundamental Plot Archetype
THE JOURNEY
•Protagonist moves
from innocence to
experience
•Begins in familiar
environment
•Descent into
danger
•Battle
“monsters” in
underworld (task)
•Return home
(reunion, marriage)

6. Key Terms
• Anima
• Animus
• Collective Unconscious
• Persona
• Shadow

7. Common Archetypal Figures
• The Child
• The Hero
• The Great Mother
• The Wise old man
• The Trickster or Fox

8. Frye vs Jung
• Frye sees archetypes as recurring patterns in literature; in
contrast, Jung views archetypes as primal, ancient
images/experience that we have inherited.

9. Objections
• Limits personal interpretation
• Only analyses one aspect of literature (archetypes

10. Story time
In the fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel are loved by their father
but resented by their step-mother, who insists on a journey
into the woods with the intent of losing them. In the woods,
the children meet evil in the guise of a witch who tries to kill
them. But they outwit her, kill her, and return to their father.
Their step-mother in some versions dies mysteriously at the
same time as the witch. Familiar order is restored.

11. Re-write
• In groups of 3-4, write
a modern version of
this fairy tale. Make
sure your modern tale
does not alter the
original theme or
message. Note how
you used the
archetypes within this
tale. Be prepared to
present to the rest of
the class.