Journal 9/3/13
 Describe an event in which something you said or
did in the context of a particular moment was
misconstrued by someone else. What were the
consequences? How did you clear up the
misunderstanding?
Symbolism and Archetypes
OBJECTIVES:
- EXPLORE SYMBOLISM AND ARCHETYPES IN FILM
- EXPLAIN HOW SYMBOLISM ENHANCES LITERARY
WORKS
- EXAMINE CONTEXT AND SUBTEXT AND APPLY THE
ANALYSIS TO FILM AND WRITING
- EXAMINE LITERARY DEVICES SUCH AS SYMBOLISM,
FORESHADOWING, AND THE ELEMENTS OF A STORY
THROUGH THE SIXTH SENSE
What we see isn’t always what we get
 While “context” deals with what seems to be going
on at a surface level, “subtext” is everything that
exists beneath.
 Subtext is an element of the glue that holds a story
together because it not only reiterates the core
message of the film throughout but hints at the
underlying (and sometimes contrary) meanings
behind a character’s actions and words.
 Subtext is also conveyed through the use of
symbolism.
Symbol/Symbolism
 A symbol is an object, animate or inanimate which
represents or ‘stands for’ something else. A symbol
differs from an allegorical sign in that it has a real
existence, whereas an allegorical sign is arbitrary.
Actions and gestures are also symbolic.
Archetype
 The term refers to:
 A statement, or pattern of behavior, a prototype
upon which others are copied, patterned, or
emulated.
 A constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature,
painting or mythology. This usage of the term draws
from both comparative anthropology and Jungian
archetypal theory.
Archetypal Examples












The hero
The scapegoat
The outcast
The temptress
The wise old man
The villain/devil figure
The innocent
The witch/ugly stepmother
The quest
The task
3
The mother figure
Context + Subtext = Delivery
 The context of a scene provides us with a framework
relative to the emotions, dialogue and action
contained within it. If the subtext is consistent with
the content, there’s little need to explain how a line
should be delivered; we already know the characters’
objectives and how their verbiage reflects those
goals.
Activity
 For each of the following lines, come up with three
different contexts in which it could be used.






I don’t have the money.
This is bad.
We have to do something.
It can’t be true.
Do you mind?
Can I trust you?
Cliché
 The writing’s on the wall… a cliché an expression,
idea, or element of an artistic work which has
become overused to the point of losing its original
meaning, or effect, and even, to the point of being
trite or irritating, especially when at some earlier
time it was considered meaningful or novel.
Stereotypes and Character Reversals
 While political correctness has done much to combat
the perpetuation of global “isms” (racism, sexism,
etc.), too often authors resort to typecasting as a lazy
way to fill up space. In doing so, they inject
predictability into these characters’ actions and
dilute a story’s element of surprise.
 In order to change this, some authors employ
reversals, imbuing “types” with traits contrary to our
expectations.
 Examples of each?
Journal – 9/4/13
 How does music (individual songs or film score)
enhance a film? What are some films that stick out
to you because of the music?
Journal 9/6/13
 What symbols/archetypes from film really impact
you?

i.e.
The “heart of the sea” necklace from Titanic
 The rose petals from American Beauty
 Harry Potter’s lightning bolt scar

Journal
 Which do you feel perpetuate stereotypes more:
sitcoms or TV dramas? Provide three examples from
each to support your answer.
Journal
 The following occupations are often portrayed in film
and TV as stereotypes: hairdressers, truck drivers,
bartenders, Hollywood agents, fast food clerks,
school principals, fashion models, bank security
guards. Pick one of them and create a reversal we
wouldn’t expect.
Journal
 Identify three movies in which the background
weather or environmental conditions served as
subtext to character interactions. (Note: Films in
which natural disasters are the central conflict don’t
count!)