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AP Literature - Symbolic Archetypes Flashcards

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10612691112Light vs. Darkness____ usually suggests hope, renewal, or intellectual illumination; ____ implies the unknown, ignorance, or despair.0
10612691113Innate Wisdom vs. Educated StupiditySome characters exhibit ____ and understanding of situations instinctively as opposed to those supposedly in charge. Loyal retainers often exhibit this ____ as they accompany the hero on the journey.1
10612691114Supernatural InterventionSpiritual beings intervene on the side of the hero or sometimes against him.2
10612691115Fire and Ice____ represents knowledge, light, life, and rebirth, while ____, like the desert, represents ignorance, darkness, sterility, and death.3
10612691116Nature vs. Mechanistic World____ is good while ____ is evil.4
10612691117The ThresholdGateway to a new world which the hero must enter to change and grow5
10612691118The UnderworldA place of death or metaphorically an encounter with the dark side of the self. Entering an ____ is a form of facing a fear of death.6
10612691119Haven vs. WildernessPlaces of safety contrast sharply against the dangerous ____. Heroes are often sheltered for a time to regain health and resources.7
10612691120Water vs. DesertBecause ____ is necessary to life and growth, it commonly appears as a birth symbol, as baptism symbolizes a spiritual birth. Rain, rivers, oceans, etc. also function the same way. The ____ suggests the opposite.8
10612691121Heaven vs. HellMan has traditionally associated parts of the universe not accessible to him with the dwelling places of the primordial forces that govern his world. The skies and mountaintops house his gods, the bowels of the earth contain diabolic forces.9
10612691122The CrossroadsA place or time of decision when a realization is made and change or penance results.10
10612691123The MazeA puzzling dilemma or great uncertainty, search for the dangerous monster inside of oneself, or a journey into the heart of darkness11
10612691124The CastleA strong place of safety which holds treasure or princess, may be enchanted or bewitched.12
10612691125The TowerA strong place of evil, represents the isolation of self.13
10612691126The Magic Weapon/ItemThe ____/____ the hero needs in order to complete his quest.14
10612691127The WhirlpoolSymbolizes the destructive power of nature or fate.15
10612691128FogSymbolizes uncertainty and obscured vision.16
10612712121Greengrowth, hope, fertility17
10612725015Redblood, sacrifice, passion, disorder18
10612729335Bluehighly positive, security, tranquility, spiritual purity19
10612736242Blackdarkness, chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil, melancholy20
10612738672Whitelight, purity, innocence, timelessness (negatives: death, horror, supernatural)21
10612744800Yellowenlightenment, wisdom22
106126911303light, spiritual awareness, unity (holy trinity), male principle23
106127497594associated with the circle, life cycle, ____ seasons, female principle, earth, nature, elements24
106127536237the most potent of all symbolic numbers signifying the union of three and four, the completion of a cycle, perfect order, perfect number, religious symbol25
10612691131The Weather/SeasonsWhether either a storm/wintertime (death, unease, etc.) or spring/bloom (rejuvenation, rebirth), these often reflect the emotional/psychological/spiritual status of characters/scenes/times. Closely related to Light vs. Dark archetype.26

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