Jung, Carl G.

Swiss Psychologist Carl G. Jung wrote about archetypes or constantly repeating energies (characters) which occur in the dreams of all people and the myths of all cultures. He suggested these archetypes (ancient patterns of personality) reflect different aspects of the human mind; that our personalities divide themselves into these characters to play out the drama of our lives. He noticed a strong correspondence between his patients’ dream figures and the common archetypes of mythology and even suggested both were coming from a deeper source, in the collective unconscious of the human race.

Fairy tales and myths are like the dreams of an entire culture. The same character types seem to occur and remain amazingly constant throughout all times and cultures. An understanding of these forces is one of the most powerful tools a modern storyteller can learn.

The archetypes Jung identified as occurring most frequently were the Hero, the Mentor (wise old man or woman), Threshold Guardian, Herald, Shapeshifter, Shadow and Trickster. To learn more specifics about Jung and his archetypes, please visit http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/jung.html

Scholar Joseph Campbell took Jung’s principles and adapted them to teach screenwriting. In essence he simplified a pattern or outline for writer’s to follow, making it easier for many authors to become successful in his publication of The Hero’s Journey. To read more about Campbell: http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php

I used Christopher Vogler’s (a student of Campbell) book The Writer’s Journey when I was teaching. I used his material instead of Campbell’s because I actually had the pleasure of meeting and learning from him and because I felt he did an excellent job of updating Jung’s original principles. You can find an abridged version: http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero's_journey.htm

Both Campbell and Vogler have only updated and helped to define Jung’s original ideas of archetypes and the journey of a story. Reading about all three can give you a better understanding of human nature and what we all want from a good book or movie. Good luck with your own writing journey!