ThAct: Northrop Frye

  Archetypal criticism

Northrop Frye

What is Archetypal Criticism? 

What does the archetypal critic do?

Archetype:

1)Character  Archetypes 

2)Situation  Archetypes 

An Archetype is a literary a device in which a character is created based on a set of qualities or traits that are specifics and indentifiable  for readers. 

Carl Jung believed that Archetypes are part of humanity's collective unconscious or memory of universal experiences.
For example .Hero 

Archetypal criticism is a literary theory that focuses on the analysis of symbols, themes, and characters within literature, emphasizing the recurring patterns and universal symbols that appear across different cultures and time periods. The approach is rooted in the concept of archetypes, which are recurring symbols, motifs, or themes that have a common cultural or psychological significance.

life, Religion and Marrige.

Best Examples of Ramayana and Mahabharata

Ram: Perfect and idol man  that's the reason why his called maryada purushotam ram

Sita: idol women and idol wife 

Ravan: evelness

Lakshman: Perfect Brother 

This archetype is commonly found in Hindu mythology."

Night,Darkness,Fear,Ensecurity

Day is a symbol of New Life 

New Day

New Thoughts

New strength

New possibilities

There are some reality in every country like in colour "Blue is commonly associated with boys, while pink is associated with girls."

Archetypal Criticism is similar to

 psychoanalytic theory sigmund freud 

carl jung collective unconscious

The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer 

concept of Death and Rebirth is common in all religion 

5 realms in Literature

• Human
• Animals
• Vegetation
• Mineral
• Water

• Human

When discussing romance and tragedy, the spectrum of human emotions comes into view. While happiness seems to surround us from all directions, it is when tragedy is the topic of conversation, or satire is involved, that the human essence emerges, often personified as a villain.

• Animals

When we talk about comedy or romance, the scene often takes on a pastoral setting with simple animals like sheep, peacocks, or cats. However, when the discussion shifts to tragedy or satire, the same animals transform into figures resembling hunters—loyal wolves, majestic eagles, or cunning hawks, for instance.

• Vegetation

When discussing vegetation in comedy, it is often portrayed in the form of a vibrant garden. However, in satire, the same vegetation takes on a different guise, transforming into a dark and ominous forest.

• Mineral

When delving into romance or comedy and mentioning minerals, they are often depicted as precious or shiny stones. However, when the conversation shifts to tragedy or satire, the focus turns to minerals in the form of mountains and rocks.

• Water

When we observe water in the context of romance or comedy, it is often portrayed as serene rivers, lakes, and streams. However, when utilized in satire or tragedy, it takes on the turbulent form of storms, oceans, and seas. 

This illustrates the concept of archetypes in storytelling.

The archetypal critic analyzes literature to identify and interpret recurring symbols, themes, and characters known as archetypes, revealing universal meanings and connections across different cultures and time periods.

 Interprets archetypal symbols in literature.

What is Frye trying to prove by giving an analogy of 'Physics to Nature' and 'Criticism to Literature'?

Northrop Frye, a prominent literary critic, draws an analogy between physics and nature on one hand and criticism and literature on the other to highlight the relationship between the study of literature and the natural world. In his work, Frye is emphasizing the idea that just as physics is concerned with understanding the underlying principles and laws governing the natural world, literary criticism is concerned with understanding the underlying structures and principles governing literature.

Frye suggests that criticism should aim to reveal the fundamental principles and archetypal patterns within literature, much like how physics seeks to unveil the laws of nature. By drawing this analogy, Frye underscores the systematic and structural aspects of literary analysis, encouraging critics to explore the deeper, universal elements that transcend individual works.

Essentially, Frye is making the point that literary criticism, like physics in the study of nature, should aspire to uncover the inherent laws and patterns that govern the realm it seeks to understand, which, in this case, is literature.

Share your views of Criticism as an organized body of knowledge. Mention the relation of literature with history and philosophy.

Criticism, as an organized body of knowledge, encompasses the systematic study and evaluation of various forms of artistic expression, with literature being a central focus. It involves analyzing and interpreting literature to understand its meanings, cultural context, and broader implications. The relation of literature with history and philosophy plays a crucial role in shaping the discourse within literary criticism.

1. Literature and History:

   - Literature is deeply connected to history as it often reflects, critiques, or responds to the cultural, social, and political contexts of its time. Historical events, societal changes, and cultural shifts influence the themes, characters, and narratives found in literature.

   - Literary criticism, within this context, involves examining how works of literature engage with historical events, shape cultural perceptions, and contribute to the understanding of different periods in history.

   - Critics may explore how literature serves as a record of human experiences, offering insights into the values, conflicts, and dynamics of specific historical epochs.

2. Literature and Philosophy:

   - Literature and philosophy share a symbiotic relationship, as both explore fundamental questions about human existence, morality, and the nature of reality.

   - Literary works often engage with philosophical ideas and themes, providing a space for philosophical exploration through characters, dialogues, and narrative structures.

   - Literary criticism, in connection with philosophy, involves the analysis of how literature grapples with philosophical concepts and contributes to philosophical discourse.

   - Philosophical ideas may be embedded in the themes of a novel, the moral dilemmas faced by characters, or the exploration of existential questions in a poem.

3. Interdisciplinary Nature of Literary Criticism:

   - Literary criticism is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing insights from history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and other fields. This interdisciplinary approach enriches the understanding of literature as a complex cultural product.

   - Historical criticism examines how literature reflects and shapes historical contexts, while philosophical criticism delves into the philosophical underpinnings of literary works.

   - Literary critics may employ historical and philosophical lenses to analyze the socio-cultural, political, and ethical dimensions of literary texts.

4. Literature as a Mirror and Critique:

   - Literature serves as a mirror that reflects societal norms, cultural values, and historical events. It also operates as a critique, challenging prevailing ideologies and questioning established norms.

   - Literary criticism, through various methodologies, explores how literature engages with, challenges, or reinforces cultural, historical, and philosophical constructs.

In summary, the study of literature within the framework of criticism is deeply intertwined with history and philosophy. Literary critics analyze how literature reflects historical realities, engages with philosophical ideas, and contributes to the ongoing conversation about the human experience. The interdisciplinary nature of literary criticism allows for a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationships between literature, history, and philosophy.

Briefly explain the inductive method with an illustration of Shakespeare's Hamlet's Grave Digger's scene.

The inductive method in literary analysis involves deriving general principles or conclusions from specific examples or observations. In other words, it starts with specific instances and moves towards broader generalizations.

Illustrating the inductive method using Shakespeare's "Hamlet," specifically the Grave Digger's scene, might involve the following:

1. Specific Observation:

   - The critic observes a particular scene, like the Grave Digger's scene in "Hamlet," where Hamlet encounters gravediggers while reflecting on mortality.

2. Detailed Analysis:

   - The critic analyzes the details of the scene, examining Hamlet's interactions, the symbolism of the grave, and the themes related to death and existentialism.

3. Identifying Patterns:

   - Through the inductive process, the critic identifies patterns, recurring themes, and motifs specific to the Grave Digger's scene, such as Hamlet's contemplation of mortality and the dark humor employed by Shakespeare.

4. Generalization:

   - Based on the specific observations and patterns identified in the Grave Digger's scene, the critic may make broader generalizations about Shakespeare's use of grave symbolism, his exploration of existential themes, or his blending of tragedy and humor.

5. Broader Implications:

   - The inductive method then allows the critic to consider how the observations from the Grave Digger's scene contribute to broader themes in the entire play or even across Shakespeare's body of work.

In summary, the inductive method involves moving from specific observations to broader generalizations, allowing literary critics to uncover deeper patterns and meanings within a work of literature or across different works by the same author.

Briefly explain the deductive method with reference to an analogy to Music, Painting, rhythm, and pattern. Give examples of the outcomes of the deductive method.

The deductive method in literary analysis involves starting with a general premise or theory and applying it to specific instances to draw conclusions. In the context of an analogy to music, painting, rhythm, and pattern, we can explore how deductive reasoning works in literary criticism.

Imagine a critic has a general premise that suggests the use of certain rhythmic and patterned elements in literature is analogous to the composition of music or the structure of a painting.

The critic then examines specific instances in a literary work, looking for rhythmic patterns, repeated motifs, or structured elements similar to musical composition or visual art.

The critic analyzes the chosen work, focusing on elements like the use of language, imagery, symbolism, and narrative structure to identify instances that align with the general premise.

Example Outcomes:

The deductive method may reveal that certain symbols in the text consistently represent specific themes or concepts, akin to how musical motifs can convey emotions.The critic might observe a rhythmic flow in the narrative structure, where events unfold in a patterned sequence, similar to the rhythm in music composition.Comparing to Visual Art: Deductive reasoning could lead to comparisons between the organization of elements in literature and the visual patterns found in paintings, highlighting the use of literary techniques as a form of artistic expression.

Overall Outcome:

• The deductive method, in this case, helps the critic validate or refine the initial premise about the similarities between literature, music, and painting. It allows for a broader understanding of how literary elements can be structured and patterned, enhancing the overall appreciation of the work.

In summary, the deductive method involves starting with a general hypothesis and applying it to specific examples, enabling literary critics to draw conclusions about the broader patterns and structures within a given work of literature.

Refer to the Indian seasonal grid (in the blog). If you can, please read a small Gujarati, Hindi, or English poem from the archetypal approach and apply the Indian seasonal grid to the interpretation.

 Here's a short Gujarati poem inspired by the archetypal approach, exploring the seasons:

Title: "ઋતુઓનો નૃત્ય" (Dance of Seasons)

સ્રષ્ટિના પ્રારંભમાં, વસંતનો આગમ,

જીવનની વાતચીત, મોકલો પ્રથમ.

રંગીન ફૂલોનો નઃરૃત્ય, યુવાનીનો આદાન-પ્રદાન,

શ્રૃંગારમય પરંપરા, અમર રચના.

ઉત્સાહપૂર્ણ ગ્રીષ્મ, યોદ્ધાનો સાથ,

ઉજળાયામાનનો કથા, વીર ની મોડ.

ધન્યવાદ મૂર્તિઓ, અદભૂત મેરા,

તપાસ સમર્થના, ગળે જોવાય.

વર્ષાઓનો શોક, મોસાંની આરજ,

આદિત્યમય આકાશ, સર્જનાત્મક બાણ.

દુઃખનો આગમન, પુનર્નિર્માણનો સાકારાત્મક,

પ્રકૃતિનો ચક્ર, સંકલનમાં આદિત્ય.

શરદનો શ્વાસ, પત્તાઓનો વિદ્યા,

છૂટાછે સંસાર, સમયના વર્તમાન.

હરિતકારો ચંદ્ર, જન્માનો શ્રેષ્ઠ,

ચયન માટે શરદ, વચ્ચે પથ પર.

હેમન્તની શાંતિ, સ્વપ્નનો અભ્યાસ,

પ્રકૃતિના અમર સ્વરૂપ, અંધકારનો દાન.

મૂકવાનો સમય, સમર્પણનો ક્ષણ,

હેમન્તનો અરામ, સૃષ્ટિનો અમૃત.

Interpretation:

- The poem follows the archetypal approach, presenting the seasons as embodiments of universal themes.

- Vasanta (Spring): Describes the emergence of life and the youthful spirit through vibrant flowers.

- Grishma (Summer): Depicts the fiery tale and hero's journey, akin to the valor and battles won in summer.

- Varsha (Monsoon): Illustrates tears and renewal, connecting with monsoon's cleansing and rebirth.

- Sharad (Autumn): Reflects on the golden wisdom and the archetype of making choices in autumn.

- Hemanta (Winter): Portrays the restful time, resembling winter's silent echoes and dreams.

This poem explores the eternal dance of seasons, each embodying archetypal qualities found in the natural world.

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Resources:

University of Toronto. Helen Kemp Frye (1910-1986). Victoria University Library Special Collections (F12) Helen Kemp Frye fonds. Retrieved on: january 27, 2024

Burn, Peter, and Herbert N. Rudeen. “Poems About the Seasons.” Discover Poetry, https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/poems-about-the-seasons/. Accessed 27 January 2024.

YouTube: Home, 9 November 2017, https://www.literary-articles.com/2009/12/various-functions-of-gravediggers-scene.html. Accessed 27 January 2024.

Words:2024, Image : 12, Video: 1

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