Pan's Labyrinth & Various Archetypes

Writers, directors, artists, etc. should be free to write about any time, culture, or subject. Part of our love for writing comes from the fact that we can write about anything. The more we utilize archetypal structures for plot, setting, and character, though, we can cross cultural boundaries and transform our own writing into something that resonates with the whole human race.

For years, storytellers have used archetypes, just like the transformation archetype, to examine what it means to be human. As a writer you can utilize these archetypes when you write a story.

The transformation or metamorphosis plot and character archetype can be summarized as follows:

1. The plot focuses on the protagonist's journey through a significant life-changing event or a change in one of the typical stages of human life.
2. The story concentrates on the nature of change and how it affects the protagonist.
3. The story starts with a transforming incident that propels the protagonist into a crisis
4. The second phase of the plot involves the effects of the change on the protagonist
5. The third phase involves the protagonist coming to an understanding or enlightenment of the change
6. In a metamorphosis plot the change is often a curse, with the enlightenment that only love can break the curse.

This archetype is very close to the “coming of age” archetype where the changes occurring in a story are simply “growing up” and becoming an adult with responsibility and all that jazz. The German bildungsroman (remember 9^th grade?) classifies books involving coming of age. 

The Archetypal Fairy Tale

• Stories, often told to children, to entertain, instruct or teach
• Often used to illustrate the problems that children and young people face as they become adults
• The characters in fairy tales represent part of our own “psyche” or inner self

Common themes in fairy tales include:

• Metamorphosis
• Transformation
• Imprisonment
• Love
• Good versus evil (overcoming obstacles)
• Death or transition
• Illusion or misunderstanding
• Rules or authority

There are boy and girl fairy tales. These differ in plot.

• Boy fairy tale plots focus on exploration, discovery, and include a climax which separates the boy from his childhood. Usually by the end, the boy has grown into a man.
• Girl fairy tale plots focus on discovery as well, but also abduction, outside threats, powers beyond their control, and falling in love. Usually by the end, the girl has grown into a woman.

Fairy Tale Characters

• Often good, innocent, or sometimes foolish.
• Often instructed by an older person or character (sometimes a mystical creature)
• Often fairy tale characters have to face great odds
• Often fairy tale characters are given an item(s) that allows them to discover who they are

Fairy tale form:

• Usually written in 3rd person point of view with an omniscient narrator
• Usually begins with “Once upon a time…” and ends “happily ever after.”
• Usually include the rule of 3 (the first two times a character tries something, it usually doesn’t work)

As you watch the film, please examine the following things: 

1. Watch the plot. Consider how del Torro is using the transformation/metamorphosis plot archetype.
2. Watch the film as a modern fairy-tale. How does del Torro use the archetypical fairy tale story structure?
3. What do you think is del Toro’s attitude toward growing up? What proof do you see in the film to support this idea?

Some more insightful questions include: What are some of the changes (both spiritual/mental and physical) that happen to the characters? Specifically, please follow the change of Ofelia, Vidal, Mercedes, and/or the Doctor (but you can also look at Fauno, Carmen, and so on). 

Pan's Labyrinth information can be found here. The first few pages of the script should be read as a sample of film writing.

HOMEWORK: Please continue to read Into the Beautiful North. Try to finish the novel by the end of this week. Also, your portfolios will be due March 7 (Thursday) in two weeks.