Carl Jung, a who made strides in psychology circa the early 1900s furthered understanding of archetypes, which simplified are these aforementioned associations that we make. These archetypes in Jungian Philosophy are the complex components of our universal unconsciousness. They are the template that molds our existence. All of these archetypal figures, motifs, and events such as the Trickster, the Creation, and Death are archetypes, observable only through indirect means; art, personal behaviors, to even dreams. We find that they are a template for existence, though they are uniquely adapted in many different ways when actualized. So to clear up the misconception spawned by those darn New Age hipsters, archetypal motifs and images such as the Waif or the Hero do exist, but an archetype is a nebulous and much more vague concept akin to metaphysics.
With the groundwork for understanding archetypes lain, we can now dissect a couple of unorthodox archetypes, the Apocalypse motif and the death event. These are both in the framework of a book I recently read, but already hold dear to my heart. This book is titled simply, yet boldly The Road by Cormac McCarthy. In the book The Man accompanied by The Boy traverse a frigid land home to ashen fields and soot laden waters to reach something intangible yet so crucial... Warmth. The South.
The apocalypse has razed, scorched and buried almost all that is good, save for the few ranks of “the good guys.” Why would any person wish to peruse the pages of such a sullen work? Why would any person attempt to place thought into the 5,000 Shades of Grey and Nothing Else that McCarthy presents? Incredible perspective is offered by the mere concept of the apocalypse, especially as it is pictured in his works. Raving bands of cannibalistic marauders, bleak everything, finding a forest fire entrancing due to it featuring colors other than the grey that becomes increasingly onerous to endure daily. This compounded by the simplicity in the heartwarming moments the duo shares throughout the book really can give a substantial deal of perspective as to what hardship really is. And at the heart of the matter, that is why McCarthy even chose to write this book in the first place. A Coca-Cola or a shopping cart shared with a boy full of innocence can provide a man the strength to endure the end of the world. While others might complain about (insert absurdity here).
Just to clarify, the Man did outlast many in the apocalypse, but a case of assuredly Tuberculosis compounded with an arrow in the leg is a potent combo that could spell out death for just about any hero, including the protagonist of this novel. The tender love between child and father can outlast much yet not that. In any order, it should be established that the death of the father also is setup to provide even more perspective, testing the reader’s empathetic devices. The prospect of death does not frighten the man, only the thought of his son not “carrying the fire” scares him, or rather enrages him. He wants his posterity to go on and survive and instill courage and justice and humanity into this forsaken earth. We all want to know what is on the other side. Because we have so much given to us, we have the audacity and time to ponder these greater concepts. The Man was toiling day by day and had no time for this fear.
These archetypes are invaluable in providing insight into realities we might not call our own. They allow us to juxtapose these foreign constructs and juxtapose them with ours. Functioning in a more universally cognizant manner is easier achieved through the use of archetypes in great literary works such as The Road.
1 comment:
I like how you've opened your post, easily sliding into your topic and making me laugh a little with your comment on how the idea of "cliques" being archaeic means that "jocks" and "nerds" aren't necessarily comment archetypes with kids anymore.
I'm also almost awestruck at your evaluation of Jungian Philosophy and admire your ability to comprehend it as nebulous and compare it with metaphysics. It's nice to see someone who looks deeper at the idea of archetypes, as something much deeper than the more shallow but sadly representative ideals of the Hero, a tragic journeyer who does good on his way to personal fulfillment, or the Waif, isolated, but ultimately pure, trusting, and kind.
Your analysis of the archetypes of the Apocolypse motif and Death event in correlation with each other is notable, and you really crack down on the entirety of the book's meaning and purpose within these archetypes as to portray the unbreakable bond between parent and child as it is in life and in The Road. You see into the fictional hearts and souls of The Man and Boy, and eloquently recount to us what you see.
In all, your writing style is extremely personable and makes the reader feel comfortable and almost friendly with you, the speaker, thus leaving a greater impact with your insights, and you give the reader a huge chance to think about what you've said clearly. You are a very persuasive writer, even in this analytic post on common archetypes and their origins and meanings.
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