Light & Dark
Self & Shadow
Mockingbird
& Blue Jay

“In myth, legend and
dreams, the father archetype
personifies as the Elder, the
King, the Father in Heaven.
He is the living embodiment
of the Logos principle: his
word is law. As Defender of
the Faith and of the Realm
he is the guardian of the
status quo and bastion
against all enemies. His
attributes are activity and
penetration, differentiation
and judgment, fecundity and
destruction” ("Transforming
the Mind: The Father“).


“Without the father there is chaos,
conflict, and sadness…when we feel
the confusion of a fatherless life and
wonder where he could be, the father
has been evoked…he is finding his
way back” (Moore 34).
“A father is one whose perspective
and knowledge are rooted in the
underworld and tied to the
forefathers, those who have gone
before and have created the culture
that the father now takes into his
hands. A father’s wisdom and moral
sensibility find their direction from
voices that are not now in life. His
initiators are both those literal fathers
who have created culture and his
own deepest reflections” (Moore 36).


“In dreams, it is always the
father-figure from whom the
decisive convictions,
prohibitions, and wise counsels
emanate…an authoritative voice
which passes final judgments”
(Jung 214 – 215).
“It is the figure of a ‘wise old
man’ who symbolizes the
spiritual factor…The wise old
man appears in dreams in the
guise of a magician, doctor, priest,
teacher, professor, grandfather, or
any other person possessing
authority” (Jung 216 - 217).

In multiple patriarchal mythologies and various world
religions, the ruling deity is a father figure who routinely
dwells in the heavens: Uranus/Caelus and Zeus/Jupiter
from Greek/Roman mythology, Odin from Norse
mythology, Amon Ra from Egyptian mythology, the
father/sky gods of various African tribes, God the Father
of Christianity, Yahweh of the Jewish faith, and Brahma
from the Hindu religion.

The Father archetype can
extend to the son in a
positive manner (evident
in numerous religious
systems such as the
loving relationship
between the Christian
God and Christ the Son)
But there is a darker side
of the Father, sometimes
negatively stretching out
toward his children
(active in the disturbing
Greek myth concerning
Cronus and his attempt
to devour Zeus).

The Father Archetype has a distinct relationship with both the
Shadow and the Child. As a father figure, the Father must
first be aware of the Shadow in order to effectively (and
momentarily) shield their young charges from internal and
external harm. But the Father must also eventually initiate the
Child into the darker ways of the world, helping them begin
to know the Shadow within and without, removing their
protective parental barriers.

When seeking out the presence of the Father archetype within
literary works, heed the movements of any character that
exudes a definite sense of command or control. Additionally
take note of figures who provide invaluable direction or
sagacious advice to other pivotal characters. One final hint is
to explore the deeper implications of one generation’s
generosity toward the members of the next generation. If the
metaphysical gifts and insights imparted are substantial, even
if given to characters not directly related to the figure(s) in
question, this might indicate the Father archetype is present
within the examined text.

Cover illustration for the 1995 edition
of Steinbeck’s To a God Unknown.
In John Steinbeck’s unsettling work To
a God Unknown, the protagonist’s
father passes away but his spirit
inhabits a tree near his son’s
settlement, “He heard the sounds come
back to the land…and the great tree
stirred to life under the wind. Joseph
raised his head and looked at its old,
wrinkled limbs. His eyes lighted with
recognition and welcome, for his
father’s strong and simple being…had
entered the tree” (Steinbeck 18). Later
in the strange text, Joseph rises up to
the status of the Father, lording over
his land, “That authority passed to
Joseph. He spoke with the sanction of
the grass, the soil, the beasts wild and
domesticated; he was [now] the father
of the farm” (Steinbeck 24).

Modern Examples of the Father’s Presence

In the Beach Boy’s song “Child Is Father of the Man”, Brian Wilson
explores the eternal cycle of the son’s journey through childhood
(under the tutelage of a guiding father’s hand) toward his ultimate
destination – maturity and the claiming of the status of fatherhood as
he begins guiding his own offspring on their life’s journey. In
simple terms, the songwriter describes this complicated circle, “(The
child) father of the man…Easy my child, it's just enough to
believe…Out of the wild into what you can't conceive / You'll
change” (Wilson).

Harry Chapin’s song “Cats in the Cradle” is a perfect example of
the Father’s absence and its ramifications explored in song. After
detailing the various ways in which he himself was an aloof
father during his child’s early years, at the end of the folk song
the father realizes that his own son’s lack of affection toward his
aging father is a reflection on his own lackluster parenting, “I've
long since retired, my son's moved away / I called him up just the
other day /I said, ‘I'd like to see you if you don't mind’ / He said,
‘I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time’…He'd grown up just like
me / My boy was just like me” (Chapin).

In George Lucus’ Star Wars Darth Vader is superficially and
primarily the epitomy of the dark side of the Father. Enveloped
in the cloud of the Dark Side of the Force, the remaining human
shred of Anakin Skywalker must struggle with his Shadow and
the Emperor to eventually sacrifice himself to save the life of his
son. With his son’s help, he takes off the mask of Darth Vader.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwjOMVPMnxU

In Walt Disney’s The Lion King, young Simba is guided by his
father both in life and death. Despite his early demise, Mufasa
manages to still provide needed instruction to his son as he
struggles to mature and face down the enemies of the jungle
kingdom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZfeR-QE5io

In both the book and film series, although not related by
blood Dumbledore definitely acts as a guide and father figure
to young Harry Potter. Whether offering advice, providing
magical gifts of assistance, or sacrificing his life to indirectly
protect Harry’s life, Dumbledore exemplifies the Father
archetype.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UunqBAHBDo8

Gandalf from Lord of the Rings is a prime example of the
Father archetype as guide. As Frodo and the other halflings
make their treacherous ways to move against the darkness,
the wizard provides sagely words of wisdom, offers his
powerful protection, and even faces and returns from death to
defend them in their quest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44kBN340vd4
o
Chapin, Harry. "Cats In The Cradle Lyrics." Lyrics Depot -
Free Song Lyrics. Web. 2 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.lyricsdepot.com>.
o
Jung, C. G. The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious.
2nd ed. New York: Princeton University Press, 1959. Print.
o
Moore, Thomas. Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating
Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life. Harper
Collins, 1992. Print.
o
Steinbeck, John. To a God Unknown. New York: Penguin
Books, 1925. Print.
o
"Transforming the Mind: The Father." Trans4mind.
Trans4mind, Web. 26 Oct 2009.
<http://www.trans4mind.com>.
o
Wilson, Brian. "Child Is Father Of The Man" Lyrics Depot
- Free Song Lyrics. Web. 6 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.lyricsdepot.com>.