Nortahrop Frye: The Archetypes of Literature

Greetings,

This blog entry is a result of a classroom assignment from Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad on the topic of 'Archetypal Criticism' by Northrop Frye, a unit in the Literary Theory and Criticism paper. The task involved answering questions, reflecting on the theory, and applying it to a chosen poem. Frye's essay is part of his significant work, 'Anatomy of Criticism.' Teacher's Blog

Brief introduction:

Northrop Frye, a prominent literary critic, crafted archetypal criticism as an analytical method for studying literature through the exploration of recurring symbols, characters, and motifs. He believed that literature is connected by timeless patterns referred to as archetypes, embodying fundamental human experiences and emotions. Essential to Frye's approach is the interpretation of literature's implicit meanings and its cultural and psychological significance. By identifying archetypes, critics unveil the fundamental structures and motifs woven across diverse works and historical periods.

Q&A

Q] What is Archetypal Criticism? What does the archetypal critic do?

Archetypal Criticism:-

So, archetypal criticism is like a special way of looking at stories. It's about spotting the same symbols, characters, and themes that pop up in different tales. Imagine it like finding hidden clues in a bunch of stories. These clues, like repeated patterns and symbols, help us dig deeper and figure out what the stories are really about. It's like a cool tool for understanding the connections between different stories and the deeper meanings they share.

Example of Archetypal Criticism

Bhim from the Mahabharata and Achilles from Greek mythology both embody the archetype of the "mighty warrior hero." Who's body is made up of iron.In the Mahabharata, Bhim is known for his immense strength and courage, while Achilles in Greek mythology is celebrated as a formidable and nearly invincible warrior in the Trojan War.

These characters share common archetypal traits—they are both exceptionally skilled in battle, possess extraordinary physical prowess, and grapple with their own vulnerabilities. The archetype of the mighty warrior hero transcends cultural boundaries, appearing in different myths and legends, illustrating how archetypal criticism helps us identify universal themes and character types that resonate across diverse storytelling traditions.

What does the archetypal critic do?

An archetypal critic examines literature to identify recurring symbols, characters, and themes that form archetypes—universal patterns in storytelling. By recognizing these patterns, the critic aims to unveil the deeper meanings and connections within different works. Essentially, the archetypal critic helps us understand the common threads that tie stories together, revealing shared human experiences and emotions across diverse cultures and time periods.

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

When Northrop Frye drew a parallel between physics and nature and criticism and literature, his aim was to illustrate a connection between the two realms. He posited that much like physics unravels the laws governing the natural world, criticism plays a role in deciphering the underlying structure and meaning within literature.

Physics, as a scientific discipline, delves into the intricacies of the physical world, unraveling phenomena like gravity, electricity, and motion. Through the study of physics, we uncover the fundamental laws governing nature, much like understanding how things work. In a similar vein, criticism serves as a method for scrutinizing and interpreting literature, exposing its deeper meanings and recurring patterns.

Frye's analogy likens the learning process in school, where we explore nature by studying plants, animals, and their workings. Physics, in this context, aids in comprehending the rules that govern nature's mechanisms, such as gravity and motion. Similarly, criticism involves studying stories and books, revealing hidden treasures like themes and messages embedded by authors.

Frye perceived literature as a mirror reflecting the human experience, housing concealed structures and symbols. Just as physics decodes the underlying principles of nature, criticism decodes the underlying principles of literature. It allows us to move beyond the surface of a story, scrutinizing its themes, symbols, and archetypes.

By drawing an analogy between physics and nature and criticism and literature, Frye underscored the pivotal role of criticism in understanding and valuing literature. He believed criticism furnished us with a lens to interpret literary works, aiding in making sense of the intricate web of symbols, themes, and motifs employed by authors to convey their ideas.

In essence, Frye suggested that criticism is a tool facilitating the unlocking of the richness and depth of literature. It enables us to perceive beyond the words on the page, comprehending the underlying structures and meanings interwoven by authors into their works. Just as physics enriches our understanding of the natural world, criticism deepens our understanding of literature, fostering exploration and discovery in both the world of nature and the realm of stories.

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

Picture criticism as a well-organized toolbox, filled with various tools that enhance our understanding and appreciation of literature. It's like having a comprehensive set of instruments at our disposal to delve into the intricacies of literary works.

Now, let's talk about the close-knit relationship between literature, history, and philosophy. History acts as a guiding light, offering insights into the time and context of a literary piece. It unravels the social, cultural, and political influences shaping the author and their creation.

Philosophy, on the other hand, invites us to ponder deeper questions that literature often grapples with. It takes us on a journey exploring concepts like the meaning of life, morality, and human nature. Literature becomes a potent vehicle for expressing and navigating these philosophical inquiries.

Imagine literature, history, and philosophy as inseparable companions working together. They form a trio, each contributing a unique perspective to help us fathom and cherish stories in diverse ways. It's akin to assembling a grand puzzle, where every piece plays a crucial role in revealing the larger picture.

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

Inductive method:

Think of the inductive method as unraveling a puzzle. Instead of beginning with a grand theory and hunting for examples to fit the narrative, this method starts with specific examples. It's akin to examining individual puzzle pieces, connecting the dots to gradually reveal the larger picture. So, instead of jumping to a general conclusion right away, the inductive approach encourages us to carefully observe specific instances and use them as building blocks for understanding the entire scenario. It's like unfolding the puzzle step by step, allowing the bigger picture to emerge organically from the details.

Ans 

The inductive method involves a form of reasoning that kicks off with specific examples, gradually building up to a general conclusion—much like assembling puzzle pieces to reveal the larger picture.

In the Grave Digger's scene from Hamlet, where we witness the Grave Digger at work while Hamlet engages in conversation, this specific instance serves as a microcosm for broader themes in the play. The Grave Digger's labor becomes symbolic, hinting at the inescapable reality of death and the relentless march of time. Delving into this scene through the inductive lens, we can extrapolate to ponder the play's overarching themes of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life.

The inductive method, in this context, acts as a tool to zoom out from a singular detail, allowing us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the play by examining specific scenes as entry points to unravel broader ideas. It's akin to stepping back from the canvas to appreciate the entire artistic composition.

Q] 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 is a way of reasoning where you start with general principles or theories and use them to reach specific conclusions or predictions. It's like working from the top down, moving from broad ideas to specific details.

Rhythm:

Let's explore the deductive method with a music analogy. Imagine our general rule is "music has rhythm."

Applying this deductively, specific conclusions emerge. For instance, when we listen to a song with a steady beat, we can deduce that it adheres to the general rule of having rhythm. Similarly, if we find ourselves tapping our foot to a tune with a consistent pattern, the deductive method lets us conclude that it possesses rhythm.

Using the deductive approach allows us to confidently assert that a song inherently contains rhythm, aligning with the overarching characteristic of music. This method acts like a key, unlocking hidden details and deepening our understanding of the musical composition.

Music:

Let's understand the deductive method with a music example. Imagine a rule: "music has melody."

Using deduction means making specific guesses based on this rule. So, if we listen to a song and it has a catchy tune or repeating notes, we can guess it has a melody.

It's like having a key rule that helps us figure out specific details. Deduction is like connecting the dots in music to find hidden patterns and understand things better.

With the deductive method, we confidently say that all music will have a melody because that's a general feature of music. It's a way to uncover the special parts of music and really get what makes it tick.

Patterns: 

Let's talk about the deductive method with a simple rule: "patterns repeat."

When we use deduction with this rule, we can make some smart guesses. For instance, if we check out a fabric with a design that keeps repeating, we can guess it follows a pattern. Similarly, if we see a row of numbers where each one follows a certain rule, we can guess it's a pattern.

By using the deductive method, we confidently say that patterns will involve repetition because that's a common thing with patterns. It helps us spot the structure and figure out what might come next.

In this case, the takeaway from using the deductive method is realizing that patterns usually include repetition. This insight can be handy, whether we're creating cool designs or predicting what's coming up in a sequence of things.

Painting:

Let's talk about the deductive method with a simple idea: "paintings have colors."

Using deduction here means making smart guesses. So, if we look at a painting and see lots of different colors, we can guess that it indeed has colors. It's like putting the pieces together and realizing that colors are a big part of what makes a painting.

With the deductive method, we can confidently say that all paintings will use colors because that's just what paintings do. It's like a tool helping us understand paintings better by focusing on the colors.

In simple terms, using deduction tells us that paintings always involve using colors to make them look lively and expressive. It's like finding the secret ingredient that makes paintings stand out.

Q] Refer to the Indian seasonal grid 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.

The Indian seasonal grid, or Ritu Chakra, is a traditional idea deeply rooted in Indian culture. It neatly divides the year into six seasons by observing the shifting patterns in nature. Each season comes with its unique qualities, emotions, and activities, creating a rich tapestry of experiences tied to the natural rhythm of the environment.

The six seasons are following: 

The Indian seasonal grid paints a vivid picture of the year's cycle, capturing six distinct phases:

1. Vasant (spring): A time for fresh starts, growth, and vibrant celebrations like Holi amidst blooming flowers.

2. Grishma (summer): Marked by intense heat, longer days, and lively colors, symbolizing energy and fruit ripening.

3. Varsha (monsoon): Rain-soaked landscapes bring romance, rejuvenation, and the sweet scent of wet earth.

4. Sharad (autumn): Harvest season with cool temperatures, clear skies, and a spirit of abundance and gratitude.

5. Hemant (pre-winter): A bridge between autumn and winter, embodying tranquility amid fading colors.

6. Shishir (winter): The coldest phase, shrouded in chilly weather and fog, evoking coziness and introspection.

This framework unveils the cyclical dance of life, providing a lens to interpret art, literature, and poetry by aligning themes and emotions with the unique qualities of each season.

“A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns from the archetypal approach. Here is the text-

O my Luve is like a red, red rose

   That’s newly sprung in June;

O my Luve is like the melody

   That’s sweetly played in tune.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

   So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

   Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,

   And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;

I will love thee still, my dear,

   While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!

   And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my luve,

   Though it were ten thousand mile.

Interpretation 

The poem 'Red Rose' uses the title to hint that love is similar to a red rose. The choice of a red rose as a symbol is interesting because colors often have specific meanings in different cultures, adding depth to the comparison. The poem sets the stage by describing love as akin to a red rose that blooms in June.

The focus then shifts to the season of summer, depicting it as comfortable in England but less pleasant in the Indian context. This contrast adds layers to the imagery, showing that the perception of a season can vary based on cultural perspectives.

The central metaphor, comparing a woman to a red rose, is intriguing. However, the poem doesn't delve deeply into explaining this comparison, leaving it somewhat open to interpretation. In contemporary literary analysis, where precision and clarity are often emphasized, this lack of explicit justification might be questioned. Despite this, readers seem to embrace the idea that a woman, especially one connected to love, can be compared to a rose, accepting it without demanding a detailed explanation. This acceptance reflects the enduring charm of the poem, which, despite its simplicity, continues to resonate with audiences.