I know it took me a while to really understand archetypes, no one ever pointed them out to me. My discovery came by reading children’s books and fantasy
It is so challenging to speak in the language of archetypes with adults, I try to do it in my bible group and they just keep defaulting to doctrine and systematic ramblings, missing out on so much. I’m more convinced now that in order to truly understand the Bible one must have a mastery of archetypes, because that is how it communicates
My daughter understands this fact more than adults. It’s amazing how these children are more equipped at really seeing things for what they are and are less likely to distort and disfigure these motifs/archetypes.
It is stunning how many of the villian-centered remakes there are now - both for Disney films and superhero stories (thinking of the "Joker" movie, which I would never want to see, and "Kraven the Hunter," which reportedly wasn't very good). It is frustrating to see storytellers twisting the good and bad and breaking the traditional structure of the narrative to be new and innovative. I don't think it will last long - the old story patterns are too powerful.
"Wicked" is one of the oldest villain-centered remakes I know of. While I hate the attempt to twist the word "wicked" into a new meaning, and *really* don't agree with portraying witches and witchcraft positively, I think it is one of the more wholesome because evil is still evil in the world of the story. I see "Wicked" as closer to the truth than other remakes like the "Cruella" movie, which celebrates Cruella "embracing her wicked side" and seeking revenge.
I think that the popularity of the "Wicked" musical and the story is not in the creativity of making the original villain the hero; I think people are drawn to it because it has symbolic and archetypal richness in other areas. The color imagery of Oz, especially green and pink; the classic magical school; and especially the sisterhood between Elphaba and Glinda gives the story a goodness that carries it. Definitely a matter for careful discernment!
I know it took me a while to really understand archetypes, no one ever pointed them out to me. My discovery came by reading children’s books and fantasy
It is so challenging to speak in the language of archetypes with adults, I try to do it in my bible group and they just keep defaulting to doctrine and systematic ramblings, missing out on so much. I’m more convinced now that in order to truly understand the Bible one must have a mastery of archetypes, because that is how it communicates
My daughter understands this fact more than adults. It’s amazing how these children are more equipped at really seeing things for what they are and are less likely to distort and disfigure these motifs/archetypes.
It is stunning how many of the villian-centered remakes there are now - both for Disney films and superhero stories (thinking of the "Joker" movie, which I would never want to see, and "Kraven the Hunter," which reportedly wasn't very good). It is frustrating to see storytellers twisting the good and bad and breaking the traditional structure of the narrative to be new and innovative. I don't think it will last long - the old story patterns are too powerful.
"Wicked" is one of the oldest villain-centered remakes I know of. While I hate the attempt to twist the word "wicked" into a new meaning, and *really* don't agree with portraying witches and witchcraft positively, I think it is one of the more wholesome because evil is still evil in the world of the story. I see "Wicked" as closer to the truth than other remakes like the "Cruella" movie, which celebrates Cruella "embracing her wicked side" and seeking revenge.
I think that the popularity of the "Wicked" musical and the story is not in the creativity of making the original villain the hero; I think people are drawn to it because it has symbolic and archetypal richness in other areas. The color imagery of Oz, especially green and pink; the classic magical school; and especially the sisterhood between Elphaba and Glinda gives the story a goodness that carries it. Definitely a matter for careful discernment!
Alicia, yes I would agree with that! I did like Wicked but I think it also offers a lot of food for thought.