Archetypal Theory

The Archetypal Theory was grounded in Carl Jung it uses symbols, images, characters, themes, and motifs of a part of an archetype reflecting the collective unconscious story.  This was seen in the original story of Cinderella. The overall goal was depict a damsel in distress. Symbols of marriage were used frequently. Cinderella is presented as a lesser than woman living in the attic and working by the ashes. The fact that the prince is arriving to find a wife that he does not even know ; moreover, the only criteria needing to be met is beauty and social class, shows the desperation being exhibited to find any semblance of love. Having Cinderella act as a certified maid and searching for her way out in a man shows how domestic women were. Before going out and attempted to pursue her dreams like a modernistic women she obeys the heinous wishes of her mean-spirited step mother. Marriage is seen as the most important thing in this time; it showed wealth and meant your name would be carried on for generations to come. Without a name you were not allowed into the finest parties and around the social prosperity of the area. With marriage everything is fixed she no longer is in this bum-like state and treated as an outcast by her family. A false sense of “happiness” can be permeated through this union and it is reflected through the whole upper class, but the sad part is that a damsel will be content as long as she has the tactile means.

The grandmother was also an archetypal symbol of knowledge. She came instantly when Cinderella was in trouble transforming her everyday items such as rats, pumpkins and clothing, into the materials needed for success. The fact that the grandmother is used to physically present a sign that she knows more simply through life experience. Cinderella is alerted to the fact that her material disguise will wear off at twelve. A time is used to show how looks are not permanent and that reality sits in as time goes on. Only the grandmother could provide her appearance and provide the sense of comfort and motherly figure that this young woman needed at this time. It also shows that though her clothes are uglier than her sisters she still offers assistance as they get ready and easily forgive them because her insides are prettier. In conclusion the archetypal theory can be found dating all the way back to the Greeks. It helps the reader connect to their lives and other stories they have heard in the past. It is an archetype because it is timeless knowledge. They come about through the readers as we interact with the world and they will continue to develop as humans do.