take home test samples.doc

Archetype Take Home Test:  Sample Analyses

You will work with each major element of the narrative: setting/ images, characters, plot/ theme.  Demonstrate how the key aspects of the archetype pattern fit your film, using specific examples from your film to support your points.  Note: words in BOLD are key concepts from an archetypal pattern.

Structure of Paragraphs: 

• Topic Sentence:  Use the terms from the archetype and identify the element of literature that is the focus of your paragraph.
• Analysis:  Connect the terms from the notes to the specific details of the story.  Prove that the elements of the story do indeed “fit” the pattern, but acknowledge if and how it differs. 
• Summary Sentence:  Wrap up paragraph and emphasize the main idea.

Setting/ Images Example:  Hamlet and Tragedy

The setting and images of Hamlet fit the tragedy archetype perfectly.  Hamlet takes place in a cold, harsh, realistic world.  While the play takes place at the royal Danish castle of Elsinore, this setting is no fairy tale.  Instead, from the opening scene of the play, there is a sense of darkness and death.  A war may about to break out, the king has died, and now his ghost is walking the halls of the castle.  The film places the opening scene in a crypt at the king’s funeral, with sounds of weeping and heavy organ music.  Images of murder, spying, death and corruption dominate both the play and the film versions.  For all these reasons, it is apparent that the setting of Hamlet places it in the harsh reality of the tragedy archetype. 

Character Example:  Star Wars and the Romance

            Luke Skywalker in Star Wars is a modern example of the romance hero.  Like many romance heroes, Luke begins the story as an innocent, inexperienced boy unsure of his own identity.  He is self-centered:  he focuses on his own desires first in his interactions with his uncle and with his wise teacher, Obi Wan Kenobi.  For example, he whines that he wants to go hang out with his friends, and is anxious to leave home to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.  He is reluctant to join in the quest when it is offered to him.   Once he does join the quest, Luke’s character begins to learn about his destiny, his family history, and his talents.  He begins training to become a Jedi Knight and learns to use the ways of the Force in order to defend the galaxy from the evil Empire.  Through his transformation into a selfless, mature adult, Luke gains the superhuman heroic qualities essential to the romance pattern. 

Plot/ Theme Example:  Rudy and the Comedy

            Rudy is an excellent example of the comedy plot and themes.  Rudy’s quest is to become a football player for Notre Dame.  However, there are a number of significant blocking forces he must struggle to overcome in order to accomplish this goal.  Rudy does not have the physical size or athletic talent which playing Division One football requires.  His family does not have the money to afford private school tuition.  His grades from high school would not qualify him for a scholarship.  In fact, Rudy is perfectly average in everyway-- except his persistence.  In his determination to achieve his goal, he moves to South Bend, gets a job, and attends the local community college.  With the help of several mentors, Rudy succeeds first in getting admitted to Notre Dame, and then gains a walk-on spot on the prep football team.  He spends two seasons being a punching bag for the top players.  Finally, Rudy’s determination pays off in the film’s climax.  At the final game of his senior year, all the players and the community rally behind Rudy.  They chant his name and the crowd explodes when Rudy finally takes the field, and achieves his goal.  This film reminds us that we can all find inspiration in the success of everyday people.  Rudy’s story is a romantic comedy.  Because of Rudy, his younger brothers all graduate from college.  Rudy inspires us all to work hard, stay focused on achieving our goals, and gives us hope for a better society.