Archetypes and Motifs in Folklore and Literature: A Handbook

by Jane Garry, Hasan El-Shamy

This is an authoritative presentation and discussion of the most basic thematic elements universally found in folklore and literature. The reference provides a detailed analysis of the most common archetypes or motifs found in the folklore of selected communities around the world. Each entry is written by a noted authority in the field, and includes accompanying reference citations. Entries are keyed to the Motif-Index of Folk Literature by Stith Thompson and grouped according to that Index's scheme. The reference also includes an introductory essay on the concepts of archetypes and motifs and the scholarship associated with them. This is the only book in English on motifs and themes that is completely folklore oriented, deals with motif numbers, and is tied to the Thompson Motif-Index. It includes in-depth examination of such motifs Bewitching; Chance and Fate; Choice of Roads; Death or Departure of the Gods; the Double; Ghosts and Other Revenants; the Hero Cycle; Journey to the Otherworld; Magic Invulnerability; Soothsayer; Transformation; Tricksters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore, Cultural, Writing

515 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2004

Reviews

[Esther Lawton]

A hard book to get hold of, but if you're interested in folklore then it's worth ordering it to your library. It is an intro to 'The Motif Index of Literature' of Stith Thompson, providing a breakdown of a range of motifs and archetypes mentioned in the index. There are also academic essays on some of these motifs. I learned a lot from reading this book. It informed me of the origin and development of common themes in literature and their significance in a historical light. Was a fairly easy read too, and quite enjoyable.

[Rahimjon Qudratov]

I had to help my friend with his dissertation. The topic was Archetypes in Folklore. That‘s why I had to read this book (I didn‘t read it fully, though).
This book is very informative and useful. The topic of the book opens a whole new world of patterns. The moment you are introduced with archetypes, you begin to see patterns everywhere. And every pattern tells you something important about life and consequently about you. In ancient times primitive people did not have the ability to communicate via language and the conscious part of their brain was not active like ours. But the unconscious part was active (amusingly, like ours). Thus the psyche tried to express itself with symbols and those symbols remain today. Symbols are everywhere, in our dreams, in folklore, in litereture, in movies etc. The way we think has shifted throughout ages but the way we feel is nearly the same as our primitive ancestors'. Hence, the crucial meaning of symbols did not disappear. We could know more about ourselves by understanding the core/hidden meaning of folktales. The archetypes like hero, animus, anima, shadow explains us what we are, how we act, what we aspire or despise and especially according to what principles we should act. You can undersand the meaning of life by learning archetypes. The meaning which lays outside the world is beyond our comprehension and it should not concern us. But the meaning that console us, the meaning which our psyche created to maintain the living could be attained.
For someone searching the truth about world learning archetypes could be one of the best ways. It opens new doors of perception. If one tries to analyze myths and stories listed in the book, one could find something actually useful for themselves. The truth could only be acquired with the help of various sciences and I assume you could find a little and fascinating peace of truth here. Enjoy.

[Hannah Ota]

Pretty good compilation of archetypes. It was interesting to branch out of the main “hero’s journey” that is usually the focus when talking about archetypes. A bit dry, definitely intended to be more of a textbook or reference book.

[Sarah Yasin]

I thought there would be some analysis, but it's more an encyclopedic collection of summaries.