Theme Of Archetypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

Literary criticism is the art of practice or judging and commenting on the qualities and characters of literary work. The literary theory of archetypes is a critical theory interpreting a text by focusing on recurring symbols, images, and character types in literary work. In the fictitious novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM), Harper Lee conveys archetypal criticism in order to develop character themes and symbols. In her novel, Lee exhibits many archetypes, specifically the child, hero, and victim archetype through Scout.

Harper Lee has the child archetype portrayed through Scout. Scout is shown as a child when she fought Walter Cunningham at school. Scout said, “Catching Walter gave me pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt,

Scout was a hero when she confronted Mr. Cunningham within the mob of people at the jail where Tom Robinson was being held. In her perspective she thought, “Mr. Cunningham displaed no interest in his son, so I attacked his entailment once more in a last-ditch to make him feel at home.” (Lee 205) Scout stood up to Mr. Cunningham and faced him head on even though he had the intention to get rid of Tom Robinson. She exemplified true bravery and courage trying to protect Atticus, sacrificing her safety in order to keep Atticus safe and if it had not been for her, Atticus probably woud have wownd up dead. Scout protected Atticus by putting Mr. Cunningham in Atticus’ shoes at the risk of her life for that matter. In addition, Scout let Francis get away with calling Atticus an “n-word” lover. She even has Uncle Jack promise something for her, “Promse you won’t tell Atticus about this.” (Lee 114) Atticus did not want Jem and Scout to get fussed up over what others have been calling him, yet when Scout and Francis fight, Scout let’s this go. Scout gave into the greater good by letting Francis get away without a scolding. This made Scout a hero because she knew that Atticus was under a lot of stress and she sacraficed her pride so she would at least know that Atticus does not need to worry about them. Lastly, Scout’s stance for defending human rights made her a hero through the fact that she was a social outcast.

Before the trials, the Finch family was undergoing various social conflicts as a result of Atticus’ defense on Tom Robinson, answering, “Do you defend niggers… Of course I do.” (Lee 99) Scout did nothing wrong, especially during the trials, yet she was inflicted with physical pain because of Atticus. Such as when Scout and Francis fought each other over the same matter of Francis calling Atticus an “n-word” lover. She obeyed Atticus, however, when she needed him the most before the trial, she was only inflicted with pain. Continuing, when Bob Ewell intended to kill Jem and Scout it made them both victims. As they walked along home and encountered Bob Ewell, Scout heard something, “He was running towards us with no child’s steps. Run Scout!...” (Lee 351). Bob Ewell intended to kill Jem and Scout, and as they struggled to run away, Jem and Scout were physically hurt. Jem and Scout were just walking home and had no association on inflicting harm to Bob Ewell in anyway. This scene made them victims, for they were used to get his revenge, when they had no faults. Adding on, Scout was a victim of social injustice and gender expectations. In an attempt to change Scout, Atticus says “...Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are a product of several generations’ gentle breading-” (Lee 177) Scout had a hard time thinking Atticus was right about how different the world is in her perspective.