Archetypes

The Innocent

Emily Jensen, Cortney Bunch, Audra Borden

 Innocent because she is often oblivious to what consequences her actions may have. She is also very trusting, especially when she drinks the liquid from the bottle and eats the cookie that says 'Eat Me'

Alice in Wonderland

Definition

• seeks safety• wants nothing more than to be happy• optimistic• can be dependant on others• often seen as the victim• free to be themselves• childlike, simple• denial/ignorance of weaknesses• frequently an orphan• looks for a new beginning• often imaginative and resourceful

Mowgli

Innocent because he is unaware of many of the dangerous situations that he falls into. He is also guided by a mentor, Baloo.

Examples from the Odyssey"Telemachus... sat there among the intruders in deep distress, with his heart full of his noble father.  He wondered if his father would suddenly appear and make a clean sweep of them all" (book 1)• at this point, Telemachus does not do anything physical to oust the

suitors.  He merely waits for his father's return to help him out. -Throughout book 1, Telemachus is referred to as 'the boy'- throughout the book, he matures as he goes to look for his father and later on, he has as much a part in the downfall of the suitors as Odysseus. "'You murder the son of Odysseus, and plunge me into the depths of sorrow!  I charge you to cease, and tell your friends to do the same'" (book 16).•  In this passage, Penelope seems to expect the suitors to leave out

of respect for herself and her husband -Penelope can at times fit the 'ingenue' category of the innocent.  She is the pure, faithful object of the suitors' less than honorable intentions.   

Mother and Her Baby

 Both are innocent due to symbolism. Often white signifies innocence, and one characteristic of the archetype is being childlike (hence the baby)

Symbolism

• Penelope's veil = modesty, innocence • Represented by flowers, animals, circles/rings, or

light • The color white

 • Youth

 • Indication of the Innocent's maturation through

symbols(i.e. Telemachus' beard)

The Hobbit (1977)

Watch this video from the beginning to minute 1:06Summary: This video shows an introduction full of

images and audio that symbolize innocence. Can you indentify these?

Symbolism in The Hobbit Video

• White clouds• Butterflies• Flowers• Birds• Birds whistling• Numerous circular shapes: The door, plate, smoke

rings, windows, Bilbo's rotundness• Bilbo's humming• Background music

 

The Journey of the Innocent

• Often begins as naive, trusting, obedient and/or destitute, helpless

• May be in dire straits• By luck, own resourcefulness, or outside help, the

Innocent begins journey• Seeker• Often aided by a mentor

          -Athena as Mentes in The Odyssey; or a Fairy Godmother archetype• Purity and incorruptibility usually helps them

succeed• Close of journey: wiser, stronger, not as innocent,

matured• May transform into another character archetype 

The Journey does not apply to all innocent characters. Some may be static and act as side characters. 

Bambi and Flower

 Bambi and Flower both represent th Innocent archetype because of their youth and ignorance. Flowers also help reinforce their innocence.

Would you still consider Bambi and his friends innocent here?

Other Roles of the Innocent • Child• Helper• Orphan• Love interest

Ingenue- a young, trusting, usually beautiful girl involved in a harmless romance.  May be the target of a suitor attempting to exploit/take advantage of her; is often 'waiting for her prince to come'Also called Waif

 Another similar role that the Innocent archetype can play is the Orphan. Annie's youth and orphan status place her in this category.

ExamplesWalt Disney:• Alice from Alice in Wonderland• Disney princesses • Pinnochio• Bambi and Flower• Mowgli from The Jungle Book

 • Beaver Cleaver• Annie from Little Orphan Annie• Little Red Riding Hood• Hansel and Gretel• Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz• Lyra from His Dark Materials

trilogy• Hobbits

 

Snow White

 Innocent because she is so trusting when the old witch came to sell her apples. She is taken advantage of, and is unaware of the danger she is in.