Assignment paper No:- 109
This Blog is part of an Assignment of sem -2 Paper no. 109The Literary Theory & Criticism And Indian Aesthetics :Assigned by Dr. Dilip Bard sir Department of English,mkbu. In this assignment I am dealing with the
topic: ‘What is archetype criticism ? Explain Northrop Frye archetypal criticism’
Academic Information:
Name : Kavita N. Chauhan
Roll No. : 10
Enrollment No. : 5108230010
Semester : 2
Paper No. : 109
Paper Code : 22402
Paper Name :The Literary Theory & Criticism And Indian Aesthetics
Topic :‘What is archetype criticism ? Explain Northrop Frye archetypal criticism’
Submitted:Smt.S.B.Gardi,Department of English,MKBU
E-mail: kavitanchauhan2002@gmail.com
Table of contents:
∆Abstract:
∆Introduction:
∆What is Archetypal?:
∆Understanding Archetype Criticism:
∆Theoretical Foundations of Archetype Criticism:
∆Northrop Frye's Contributions to ∆Archetypal Criticism:
∆The Mythical Method:
∆Frye use seasons in archetypal criticism:
∆Archetypes in Different Realms:
∆Two Methods of Archetypal Criticism:
∆Archetypes in Characters:
∆Situation or symbols:
∆Conclusion:
∆References:
• Abstract:
This assignment delves into the realm of archetype criticism, focusing specifically on the insights provided by Northrop Frye. It elucidates the concept of archetype criticism, its significance in literary analysis, and delves into Frye's contributions and theories in this area.
• Introduction:
Northrop Frye, a distinguished literary critic of the 20th century, introduced archetype criticism as a powerful tool for understanding the deeper layers of meaning within literature. His approach emphasized the presence of recurring symbols, motifs, and themes, which he believed reflected universal patterns of human experience. This essay explores Frye's archetypal criticism, delving into its theoretical foundations, applications, and significance in literary analysis.
• What is Archetypal?
Archetype is a Greek word meaning “Original pattern, or model.” In literature, film and art an archetype is a Character, an event, a story or an image that recurs in different works, in different cultures and in different periods of time.
Definition of archetypal.
Archetypal means images and symbols are represented in literature. It's called archetypal.
In literature, an archetype is a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature.
Archetypal can refer to a constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting or mythology.
“A kind of literary anthropology”-by Frye
According to Northrop Frye………
“In literary criticism the term archetype
suggests narrative designs, patterns of action, character types, themes and images which are known to a wide variety of works of literature also to myths, dreams and even social rituals.”
•Understanding Archetype Criticism:
Archetypal criticism is a big deal in the world of literary theory. It's all about spotting and figuring out the patterns that keep popping up in stories, like symbols, themes, and motifs. These patterns are called archetypes, and they're like universal symbols that speak to everyone, no matter where they're from or what time period they live in. Think of them as the stuff that connects us all as humans, the deep-down feelings and experiences we all share. This idea isn't new; it's rooted in the work of psychologist Carl Jung, who believed that archetypes are these built-in patterns of thinking and feeling that we all have in common. So, when we analyze literature using archetype criticism, we're basically diving into the stuff that makes us all tick as humans, finding those common threads that run through all stories.
• Theoretical Foundations of Archetype Criticism:
Archetype criticism emerged as a response to the formalist approach dominant in literary criticism during the early 20th century. Formalism focused primarily on the formal elements of literature, such as structure, style, and language, often neglecting the deeper symbolic meanings embedded within texts. Archetype criticism, on the other hand, seeks to uncover the underlying mythic structures and symbolic patterns that unite literature as a whole.
• Northrop Frye's Contributions to Archetypal Criticism:
Herman Northrop(July 14, 1912 – January 23, 1991) was a Canadian literary critic and literary theorist, considered one of the most influential of the 20th century.
Born : July 14, 1912 Canada
Died :January 23, 1991 (aged 78)
Canada
Notable work:Anatomy of Criticism (1957)
Notable ideas: Archetypes of literature ,classless culture, garrison mentality
Northrop Frye really shook things up in archetypal criticism with his famous book, "Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays." This book was a game-changer because Frye laid out a whole new way of looking at literature. He didn't just talk about stories; he gave us a roadmap for understanding them better. Frye said that all literature can fit into a few main categories, or genres. And each of these genres has its own set of common themes and symbols, which he called archetypal conventions. So, instead of seeing stories as just individual pieces, Frye showed us how they're all connected by these big themes and patterns. It's like he gave us a pair of glasses to see literature in a whole new way, and that's why his work is so important in understanding how stories work.
• The Mythical Method:
Central to Frye's archetypal criticism is the concept of the "mythical method," which emphasizes the importance of mythology in literary interpretation. Frye believed that literature is deeply rooted in mythology and that understanding the underlying mythic structures is essential for interpreting and appreciating literary works. By applying the mythical method, critics can uncover the archetypal patterns that shape narratives and reveal their symbolic meanings.
• Frye use seasons in archetypal criticism:
1. Spring: Comedy
Comedy emphases on the social group, often setting up an arbitrary law or humorous society and setting out to reform it. This change, however, is rarely a moral judgment of the wicked, but usually a social judgment of the absurd instead. Comedy is aligned with spring because the genre of comedy is characterized by the birth of the hero and spring also symbolizes the defeat of winter and darkness.
2. Summer: Romance
Romance related with summer both are paired together because summer is the culmination of life in the seasonal calendar, and romance genre culminates with some sort of triumph. Romance is aligned with summer because summer is the Culmination of life in the seasonal Calendar. In romance the reader’s values are bound up with the hero who unequivocally represents what is supposed to be right and virtuous. The essential element in the plot of romance.
3. Autumn: Tragedy
In tragedy the focus is on individuals: the tragedy is in the hero’s isolation, not the villain’s betrayal, in fact the villain is often part of the hero. The story begins with a hero who has comparatively free will and moves him or her into a world of causation. Tragedy is aligned with autumn because autumn is the dying stage of the seasonal calendar and also known for the “fall” or demise of the protagonist. In Tony Morrison’s novel “The Bluest Eyes” she describes all four seasons in her novel, in this novel she connected four seasons with human life and literary genre. According to her novel, autumn, spring, summer, and winter are symbols of human’s life : birth, maturity, fall and death.
4. Winter: Irony and Satire
Irony and satire parody romance by applying romantic mythical forms to a more realistic content, which fits them in unexpected ways. It presents an image where reality rather than ideology is dominant. Satire is militant irony, where moral norms are relatively clear, and standards are assumed against which the grotesque and absurd are measured.
• Archetypes in Different Realms:
Now Frye gives the context of a genre determines how a symbol and image is to be interpreted. He gives five different realms of different fields like human, animal, vegetation, mineral, and water.
(1) Human:
The comedic human world is representative of wish –fulfillment. In its contrast, the tragic human world is of isolation, tyranny, and the fallen hero. Thus, in different worlds, the roles of different humans do not change.
(2) Animals:
The comedic animal world suggests docile and pastoral animals whereas in the tragic animal world they are like hunters, predatory for example wolves, leopards etc.
(3) Vegetation:
The comedic realm of vegetation is pastoral as well as gardens, parks also symbolizes roses and lotuses. And the tragic realm of vegetation is like a wild forest or sometimes a sterile or barren place.
(4) Mineral:
The comedic mineral realm represents cities, temples or precious stones. The tragic mineral realm represents desert, ruined places.
(5) Water:
At last, the comedic realm of water is represented by rivers. And in the tragic realm by the sea, especially by floods. Signifies the water covers a huge part of earth and it is vital for all known forms of life. For example The Mississippi River in Huckleberry Finn.
•Two Methods of Archetypal Criticism:
1.Inductive & 2.Deductive Methods of Archetypal Criticism
Inductive Method
Frye contends that structural criticism will help a reader in understanding a text, and in this analysis, he proceeds inductively. That is from particular truths. For example Hamlet , in the Shakespearean play grave digger scene in Hamlet, inflicts upon himself affliction and this is the particular truth of the general truth of life that jealousy is always destructive. This is called the inductive method of analysis under structural criticism and Frye discusses this in detail in this section of the essay.
The Inductive Method of Analysis: Oliver Twist
The Deductive Method
The Deductive method of analysis proceeds to establish the meaning of work from the general truth to particular truth. Literature is like music and painting. Rhythm is an essential characteristic of music and painting, pattern is the chief virtue. Rhythm in music is temporal and pattern in painting is spatial. In literature both rhythm and pattern are spatial. In literature both rhythm and pattern are recurrences of images, forms and words.
Literature can be interpreted in as many ways as possible. These methods are useful for critics and it can take the reader in a new direction and vision of any literary work. If we want to interpret in different ways through these methods Centre and periphery can be changed.
• Archetypes in Characters:
The Hero:
The Hero is a character who predominantly exhibits goodness and struggles against evil in order to restore harmony and justice to society. The traditional protagonist is the driver of the story: the one who forces the action. We root for it and hope for its success. For example Hamlet, Macbeth, Tom Jones, etc.
The outcast:
He or she has been outcasted from society. The outcast figure can oftentimes also be considered as a Christ figure. For example in Indian myths there are characters like Pandvas, Ram- Sita- Laxman, Sugreev, Vibhishan etc.
The Scapegoat:
A character that takes the blame for everything bad that happens. No one tries to understand whether he or she is really at fault or not. For example Tom Jones, Ophelia in “Hamlet”, etc.
The Star-Crossed Lovers:
This is a young couple joined by love but unexpectedly parted by fate. For example Romeo and Juliet from William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, Heer and Ranjha, Heathcliff.
The Journey:
The main character takes a journey that may be physical or emotional to understand his or her personality and the nature of the world. For example; Oliver Twist, Tom Jones, Rama, etc.
•Situation or symbols:
The quest:
The characters search for something whether consciously or unconsciously. Their action, thoughts, feelings are centered around the goal of completing this quest. For example Rama’s search for Sita, Nal- Damyanti’s search for each other, Savitri’s search for Satyakam’s life, etc.
The Task:
This refers to a possibly superhuman feat that must be accomplished in order to fulfill the ultimate goal. For example, Frodo’s task to keep the ring safe in J.R.R. Tolkein’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Water:
Water is necessary to life and growth; it commonly appears as a birth or rebirth symbol. It is also a strong life force. Symbolizes creation, purification and redemption also fertility and growth.
Sun:
It symbolizes creative energy like fire, thinking, enlightenment, wisdom, spiritual wisdom, piousness, dawn etc. Rising sun symbolizes birth, creation, and enlightenment. While the setting sun symbolizes death.
Colors:
· Black- darkness, chaos, mystery, the unknown, before existence, death, the unconscious, evil.
· Red- blood, sacrifice; violent passion, disorder, sunrise, birth, fire, emotion, wounds, death, sentiment
· Green- hope, growth, envy, Earth, fertility, sensation, vegetation, water, nature, sympathy.
· White - light, purity, peace, innocence, goodness, Spirit, morality, creative force, spiritual thought
· Orange- fire, pride, ambition, egoism, Venus.
· Yellow- enlightenment, wisdom.
· Blue – clear sky, the day, the sea, height, depth, heaven, religious feeling.
Numbers:
Three- Spirit, Birth, Life, Death,
light.
Four-life cycle, four elements, four seasons.
Six- devil, evil.
Seven- relationship between man and God, seven deadly sins, seven days of week, seven days to create the world, seven stages of civilization, seven colors of the rainbow, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Nature:
.Air- activity, creativity, breathe, light, freedom (liberty), movement
.Rain- life giver
·Clouds - mystery, sacred
·Tree- where we learn, tree of life, tree of knowledge
·Wind- Holy Spirit, life
·Mountain- height, mass, center of the world, ambition, goals.
Heart- love and emotions.
The use of archetypal characters and situations gives a literary work a universal acceptance, as readers identify the characters and situations in their social and cultural context.
•Conclusion:
In Conclusion To sum up, Frye points out there are only a few species of myth though there are an infinite number of individual myths. For example, these species or archetypes of myths include “myths of creation, of fall, of exodus and migration of the destruction, of the human race in the past or the future, and of redemption”.
Words :2301
Images: 7
• References:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Northrop Frye". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Northrop-Frye. Accessed 25 April 2024.
https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2014/12/northrop-frye-archetypes-of-literature.html?m=1
No comments:
Post a Comment