My first task within this project is to read chapter ‘Room Seven: Itinerancy’ of the course set textbook with focus on the ‘Cucumber Journey’. I am to examine how time, place and journey have an impact on the work.
Firstly,
even after having completed the initial module on contemporary art, I do not
see how pickling vegetables whilst travelling on a canal is art. I just can’t
wrap my head around it. Seriously, is this one of those questions that they
post in newspapers as recruitment advertisements for Mi5?
The last line on page 156 summed up for me
the ludicrous nature of this as an item of art, ‘the pickles will begin a new
journey in peoples bodies’. There is probably a school of thought that as the
pickle is broken down by the bodies enzymes and turned into kinetic energy that
we use that energy to plant crops of new cucumbers and so a cycle of life is
complete. There is also a school of thought that the Earth is flat and magic is
real, but, I will try…
Time is of relevance to this piece because
with the passing of time not only the location but the form of vegetable itself
changes. As the canal boat travels from London to Birmingham so the cucumber
travels from a fresh state to a pickled one. This is reminiscent of how people
travel through life, fresh and ‘green’ as described by Dylan Thomas in ‘Fern
Hill’ , and, with the passing of time as they complete lifes journey, they
slowly pickle in a marinade of experience and outside influence until they die
and are returned to the soil. (To fertilise new crops of cucumbers I have no
doubt…). One could argue that if a pickled cucumber is what exists when the
canal boat reaches Birmingham, was there ever a fresh cucumber in London? With
each passing moment the cucumber steadily ages, in this case in an artificially
speeded up process. This could be seen as a reflection of society today. We
live in a consumerist culture where companies are concerned only about making
money and stress related mental health issues are at their peak, are we all
being pickled in the vinegar of our everyday lives?
The only way I can see that Place would be of relevance
is to reiterate that in each location the cucumber was in a different form? In
London it was a fresh vegetable, in Birmingham it was a cucumber. During the
journey of the canal boat so too was taking place the journey of the cucumber?
The article then went on to further break
down the 12 archetypes into ego types, self types and soul types.
The Four Ego Archetypes
1. The Innocent
Motto: Free to be you and me Core desire: to get to paradise Goal: to be happy Greatest fear: to be punished for doing something bad or wrong Strategy: to do things right Weakness: boring for all their naive innocence Talent: faith and optimism
The Innocent is
also known as the: utopian, traditionalist, naive, mystic, saint, romantic,
dreamer.
Examples of The
Innocent that I could think of; Nancy(Oliver Twist), Mrs Barnum (The Greatest
Showman), Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter)
2. The
Orphan/Regular Guy or Gal
Motto: All men and women are created equal Core Desire: connecting with others Goal: to belong Greatest fear: to be left out or to stand out from the crowd Strategy: develop ordinary solid virtues, be down to earth, the common
touch Weakness: losing one’s own self in an effort to blend in or for the
sake of superficial relationships Talent: realism, empathy, lack of pretence
The Regular Person
is also known as the: good old boy, everyman, the person next door, the realist,
the working stiff, the solid citizen, the good neighbour, the silent majority.
Examples of The
Orphan/ Regular Guy or Gal that I could think of; Ron Weasley (Harry Potter),
Superintendent Hastings (Line of Duty), Robin Ellacourt (Cormoran Strike books)
3. The Hero
Motto: Where there’s a will, there’s a way Core desire: to prove one’s worth through courageous acts Goal: expert mastery in a way that improves the world Greatest fear: weakness, vulnerability, being a “chicken” Strategy: to be as strong and competent as possible Weakness: arrogance, always needing another battle to fight Talent: competence and courage
The Hero is also
known as the: warrior, crusader, rescuer, superhero, the soldier, dragon
slayer, the winner and the team player.
Examples of The
Hero that I could think of; Rob Stark (Game of Thrones), Thomas Shelby (Peaky
Blinders), Simba (The Lion King), Harry Potter (Potter franchise)
4. The Caregiver
Motto: Love your neighbour as yourself Core desire: to protect and care for others Goal: to help others Greatest fear: selfishness and ingratitude Strategy: doing things for others Weakness: martyrdom and being exploited Talent: compassion, generosity
The Caregiver is
also known as the: saint, altruist, parent, helper, supporter.
Examples of the
Caregiver that I could think of; Sybil Ramsbottom (Discworld series), Molly
(Rivers of London series), Alfred the butler (Batman)
The Four Soul
Archetypes
5. The Explorer
Motto: Don’t fence me in Core desire: the freedom to find out who you are through exploring
the world Goal: to experience a better, more authentic, more fulfilling life Biggest fear: getting trapped, conformity, and inner emptiness Strategy: journey, seeking out and experiencing new things, escape
from boredom Weakness: aimless wandering, becoming a misfit Talent: autonomy, ambition, being true to one’s soul
The Explorer is
also known as the: seeker, iconoclast, wanderer, individualist, pilgrim.
Examples of the
Explorer that I could think of; Neo (The Matrix), Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray,
Love), Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)
6. The Rebel
Motto: Rules are made to be broken Core desire: revenge or revolution Goal: to overturn what isn’t working Greatest fear: to be powerless or ineffectual Strategy: disrupt, destroy, or shock Weakness: crossing over to the dark side, crime Talent: outrageousness, radical freedom
The Outlaw is also
known as the: rebel, revolutionary, wild man, the misfit, or iconoclast.
Examples of the
Rebel that I could think of; all social superheroes ie Batman/Superman, Weasley
Twins (Harry Potter), Timone+Pumba (Lion King)
7. The Lover
Motto: You’re the only one Core desire: intimacy and experience Goal: being in a relationship with the people, work and
surroundings they love Greatest fear: being alone, a wallflower, unwanted, unloved Strategy: to become more and more physically and emotionally attractive Weakness: outward-directed desire to please others at risk of losing
own identity Talent: passion, gratitude, appreciation, and commitment
The Lover is also
known as the: partner, friend, intimate, enthusiast, sensualist, spouse,
team-builder.
Examples of the
Lover that I can think of; Romeo+Juliet, Lewis Litt (Suits), Emil (The
Toymakers)
8. The Creator
Motto: If you can imagine it, it can be done Core desire: to create things of enduring value Goal: to realize a vision Greatest fear: mediocre vision or execution Strategy: develop artistic control and skill Task: to create culture, express own vision Weakness: perfectionism, bad solutions Talent: creativity and imagination
The Creator is also
known as the: artist, inventor, innovator, musician, writer or dreamer.
Examples of the
Creator that I could think of; Kaspar (The Toymakers), Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio
character in Inception), Granny Weatherwax (Discworld series)
The Four Self
Archetypes
9. The Jester
Motto: You only live once Core desire: to live in the moment with full enjoyment Goal: to have a great time and lighten up the world Greatest fear: being bored or boring others Strategy: play, make jokes, be funny Weakness: frivolity, wasting time Talent: joy
The Jester is also
known as the: fool, trickster, joker, practical joker or comedian.
Examples of the
Jester that I can think of; Weasley twins (Harry Potter), Nimitz (Honor
Harrington series), Jeremy Osbourne (The Peep Show)
10. The Sage
Motto: The truth will set you free Core desire: to find the truth. Goal: to use intelligence and analysis to understand the world. Biggest fear: being duped, misled—or ignorance. Strategy: seeking out information and knowledge; self-reflection
and understanding thought processes. Weakness: can study details forever and never act. Talent: wisdom, intelligence.
The Sage is also
known as the: expert, scholar, detective, advisor, thinker, philosopher,
academic, researcher, thinker, planner, professional, mentor, teacher,
contemplative.
Examples of the
Sage that I could think of; Dumbledore (Harry Potter), Cormoran Strike
(Cormoran Strike series), Mark Darcy (Bridget Jones Diary)
11. The Magician
Motto: I make things happen. Core desire: understanding the fundamental laws of the universe Goal: to make dreams come true Greatest fear: unintended negative consequences Strategy: develop a vision and live by it Weakness: becoming manipulative Talent: finding win-win solutions
The Magician is
also known as the: visionary, catalyst, inventor, charismatic leader, shaman,
healer, medicine man.
Examples of the
Magician that I could think of; Harvey Spectre (Suits), Thomas Shelby (Peaky
Blinders), Samuel Vimes (Discworld Series)
12. The Ruler
Motto: Power isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. Core desire: control Goal: create a prosperous, successful family or community Strategy: exercise power Greatest fear: chaos, being overthrown Weakness: being authoritarian, unable to delegate Talent: responsibility, leadership
The Ruler is also known
as the: boss, leader, aristocrat, king, queen, politician, role model, manager
or administrator.
Note: There are four cardinal orientations: freedom, social, ego, order.
The types have a place on these orientations.
Examples of The
Ruler that I could think of; Cersei (Game of Thrones), Voldemort (Harry
Potter), Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars)
The article then
led me to another table with a longer list of Character archetypes.
In total this then gave me quite an extensive list for which I was to then come up with an example for each from an existing story and describe their function whether psychological or dramatic for the next part of the exercise.
The way I am interpreting the function of the character is
to think about whether their purpose is merely to add to the action of the
moment (dramatic), or if their actions satisfy some expectation of or provoke a
reaction within the reader/viewer.
Archetype
Example
Function
Hero
Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
Psychological. For the reader to cheer on to victory.
Villain
Voldemort (Harry Potter)
Psychological. For the reader to want to see thwarted by the Hero.
Sidekick
Ron Weasley (Harry Potter)
Psychological. To support the Hero, often with their own obstacles to
overcome such as Loyalty.
Mentor
Obi Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)
Psychological/Dramatic. To guide the Hero on the Quest. Often used as
a dramatic object such as a Martyr.
Narrator
Narrator in non-fiction
“Often achieves its momentum not just through narrative -but also
through the meditative intelligence behind the story”
www.thoughtco.com
‘Narrators in Creative Nonfiction’
Accessed 02/06/2019
Collateral Damage
Anyone wearing a red security team vest who goes on an Away Mission
in Star Trek
Dramatic. Often nameless victims to add to a body count.
Doomed Lover
Bellatrix LeStrange (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Engages with emotions of the reader.
Ladies Man
Sir Lancelot
Psychological/Dramatic. Often provides an obstacle for the Hero to
overcome. Can also be the basis of a storyline in their own right, for
example ‘Redemption’.
Ne’er do Well
Mungdungus Fletcher (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Engages with emotions of the reader in negative
manner.
Creator
Kaspar Goodman (The Toymakers)
Psychological. Engages with the emotions of the reader. Promotes the
idea that anything is possible, anything can be created with enough belief.
Caregiver
Molly Weasley (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Engages with emotions of the reader in a positive
manner.
Ruler
Lord Vetenari
Psychological. Wields authority over a situation involving the Hero.
Jester
Fred and George Weasley (Harry Potter)
Dramatic. Amusing side-line character with often no substantial
contribution to the main plot.
Regular Guy/Gal
Dean Thomas (Harry Potter)
Dramatic. Additional low-level character with no substantial plot involvement.
Lover
Lavender Brown (Harry Potter)
Dramatic/Psychological. Dependent on their place in the plot. For
example, in Wuthering Heights this character archetype has substantial
contribution to make and would be more Psychological than Dramatic.
Outlaw
Sirius Black (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Engages with the emotions of the reader/viewer often
in appositive manner. Outlaws are often pitched as a figure to admire.
Magician
Jacques Goodman (The Toymakers)
Dramatic. Has powers beyond that deemed ordinary or explainable by the
confines of the story.
Innocent
Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Can be used as a tool for delivering justice. A
champion for the innocent and unsullied.
Explorer
Lara Croft
Psychological. Engages with the emotions of the reader who can relate
to the urge to explore and adventure into the unknown, often restricted by
available resources in the real-world.
Rebel
Fred and George Weasley (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Much like ‘Outlaw’. Engages with the emotions of the
reader/viewer often in appositive manner. Rebels are often pitched as a
figure to admire.
Sage
Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter)
Psychological/Dramatic. The wise all-knowing character that assists
the Hero with the delivery of warnings/wisdom/information.
Analyst
Sherlock Holmes
Psychological. A methodically thinking character that delivers
logical explanations for dramatic situations.
Anti-hero
Newt Scamander
Psychological. Relatable to a lot of readers. The Hero who is forced
into becoming so through situational requirements.
Benefactor
Tony Stark
Psychological. A resource character who enables the actions of the
Hero.
Bully
Dudley Dursley (Harry Potter)
Psychological. A character that will provoke negative reaction in the
reader and unite them with the Hero/victim.
Beaurocrat
Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
Undecided. A character designed to follow the rules. Possible use as
Psychological when the character is lured into new behaviour?
Catalyst
Princess Leah (Star Wars)
Dramatic. A character who is the key to events progressing throughout
the plot.
Child
Peter Pan
Psycological. Relatable to all readers, everyone can remember the
optimism and imagination of youth.
Coward
Wormtail (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Stimulates the emotions of the reader in either a
positive (redemption/showing courage) or negative (betrayal of the Hero)
manner.
Curmudgeon
Ebenezer Scrooge
Dramatic.
Dreamer
Walter Mitty
Psychological. Engages the positive emotions of the reader. Everyone
has a dream that they aspire to accomplish. Empathy with this character is
simple.
Extraordinary Man
James Bond
Psychological/Dramatic. Engages with the aspirational emotions of the
reader.
Gossip
Unable to think of one.
Dramatic. Secondary device that can be used in plot progression.
Guardian
Newt Scamander (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)
Psychological. Protects the weak, provokes positive reactions from
the reader/viewer.
Thrill Seeker
Unable to think of one.
Dramatic.
Messenger/Herald
Hermit/Loner
Mad Eye Moody (Harry Potter)
Dramatic
Hunter/Predator
Terminator/Alien
Psychological/Dramatic. Archetype that could either be the main focus
of a story or a secondary device used to advance the plot.
Introvert
Walter Mitty
Psychological. Could be used in an investigation of the psche or used
as an ‘Awakening’ storyline.
Investigator
Cormoran Strike
Psychological. Often also the Hero.
Judge/Mediator
Unable to think of one.
Leader
Margaret Thatcher – The Iron Lady
Psychological. Can be used to show the many different facets required
in being an effective leader.
Manipulator
Harvey Spectre (Suits)
Psychological. Often relatable to the audience.
Martyr
William Wallace – Braveheart
Dramatic. Often a sacrificial character frequently for a noble cause
as seen by the character.
Masochist
Unable to think of one.
Masquerader
Unable to think of one.
Monster
The Incredible Hulk
Dramatic. Can be good or evil dependant on the storyline. For
example, zombies vs Frankenstein.
Penitent
Dr Bruce Banner
Psychological. Penitent or remorseful character who wishes to atone
for previous actions/constant character flaws.
Perfectionist
Unable to think of one.
Pleaser/Show-Off
PT Barnum (The Greatest Showman)
Psychological. Seeks admiration/applause from the masses.
Poet
Unable to think of one.
Rogue
Han Solo (Star Wars)
Psychological. Rogues often prove highly relatable. Can be Side-Kicks
to the Hero or be of general assistance in the plot.
Saboteur/Betrayer
Wormtail (Harry Potter)
Dramatic. Can betray for either redemption back to the side of the
good guys or fall victim to greed and betray the Hero. Not often the sole
subject of a plot line.
Samaritan
Unable to think of one.
Scholar
Unable to think of one.
Sensualist
Christian Grey (50 Shades of Grey)
Slave
Dobby the House Elf (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Can be used to provoke sympathy within the
reader/viewer.
Survivor
Sycophant
Bellatrix LeStrange (Harry Potter)
Psychological. Slavish devotion
Temptress
The Red Witch Melisandre (Game of Thrones)
Dramatic. A temptation or obstacle for the Hero on the Quest.
Thief
Artful Dodger (Oliver Twist)
Dramatic. A character that takes whatever they require for personal
gain. Depending on the pitch of the story could be seen in either a positive
or negative light. For example in Oliver Twist the Artful Dodger provokes
more sympathy than Bill Sykes.
Trickster/Jester
Fred and George Weasley (Harry Potter)
Psychological. An archetype that lightens the mood or brings levity
to intense situations.
Victim
Unable to think of one.
Waif
Puss in Boots (Shrek)
Psychological. Appearing innocent and weak often as a deception.
Creative Arts Today 