Feminine Archetypes

Feminine archetypes and stereotypes is an area that interests me. Not only how these archetypes apply to women in reality but also how they are used within literature and film. The psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung defines archetypes "patterns of psychological performance linked to instinct" (Samuels et al.). Jung believed that these archetypes have universal meanings across cultures and can be seen in dreams, literature, art or religion. These archetypes are useful within literature and media because they allow characters to be

Carl Jung - Image from Google Images

associated we pre-established concepts and ideas that are embedded within the conscience and subconscious of audiences. This is said to allow for easier identification and understanding of characters and their storylines. There are twelve archetypes seen within media; The Innocent, Everyman, Hero, Outlaw, Explorer, Creator, Ruler, Magician, Lover, Caregiver, Jester, and Sage.

From my online research, this list differs from source to source and also differs when it comes to female characters. Another list I found online stated that the female archetypes were as follows: The Muse, the Mother, the Wild Woman, the Healer, the Sacred Wife (or Lady of Balance), the Alchemist (Queen of Death), the Wise Woman, the Midwife, the Visionary, the Mystic, the Warrioress, the Lover and the Priestess. This was not a scholarly source however, I think it is worth noting the difference in perceptions regarding archetypes prescribed to men and women. Feminine archetypes are born from "various combinations of our basic instinctual traits, from the influence of environment and culture, and from our adaption to these factors" (Ulanov, p.193). This statement coupled with the comparison between male archetype titles verses their female counterparts, suggests that the male archetypes stand as independent entities while the female archetypes are more susceptible to external factors or presence. Ulanov further cements this idea by stating "each form of the feminine has its specific archetype which can be described only in -directly in terms of accompanying images , value system and behavioral patterns" (Ulanov, p.193). To say that female archetypes are dependent on factors such as environment and culture means they can be easily influenced, for example, if these feminine archetypes exist in patriarchal culture then they are inherently patriarchal in nature and as a result the "adaption to these factors" means they have no option but to cater to these patriarchal notions.

If we look at these archetypes in a film space then the female archetypes and their storylines are often dependent on men. The mother, the scared wife, the muse all exist in relation to a man and serve him in some capacity. Jung explores the example of the Mother archetype in the book "Aspects of the Feminine". The mother archetype goes beyond personal relationships such as mother, stepmother, nurse, or governess. She can also be seen in the Mother of God and the Virgin or she can represent “things arousing devotion or feelings of awe" such as the Church, university, heaven, earth, etc. (Jung, p. 109). An issue with this idea is the fact that in order to reach mother status a woman usually requires the involvement of a man. So, to reach this venerated status of Mother, a man is necessary. Now, one can be motherly and be seen as a mother type without ever birthing children, but generally bearing and birthing children is necessary in being a mother. Beyond this idea, who bestows these titles upon women? Jung is a man, so the archetypes prescribed to women are already created and dictated by a man. If we circle back to the idea that the feminine archetypes are governed by environment and culture and if both of these elements are patriarchal, then male involvement in female representation regarding archetypes is unavoidable and strips women of any opinion of statement in the matter.

Jung writes that: "An archetype is in no sense just an annoying prejudice; it becomes so only when it is in the wrong place. In themselves, archetypal images are among the highest values of the human psyche" (Jung, p.112). I'm not sure I entirely agree with that. In a world, presently, that is increasingly pushing boundaries surrounding identity, I find the concept of archetypes to be limiting and restrictive. Why subscribe to one title? Multiple identities and facets of a person can coexist at once. Overall, the concept of archetypes seems limiting but I can recognise the usefulness of it within certain fields such as film. However, even then, I think attaching archetypes to characters or stereotyping them and shoving them into specific categories can be restrictive, limiting and boring especially for female narratives.

Works Cited

Samuels, Andrew, et al. Critical Dictionary of Jungian Analysis. Routledge, 2015.

Ulanov, Ann Belford. The Feminine in Jungian Psychology and in Christian Theology. Northwestern University Press, 1986.

Jung, Carl Gustav. Aspects of the Feminine . ARK Paperbacks, 1986.