Propaganda or History You Decide

In ancient times, mythology was created to tell the stories of history. Which didn't always have the perfect ending. However, looking back at my blogs there is a pattern of these heroic stories ending happily. The hero always seems to get the girl and save humanity. Why do we make these events out to be better then they were? Is is because we want to reinforce our beliefs in happy ends?

Jumper

In a race to save his life David Rice jumps around the world through this one of a kind journey. David Rice was a high school student in Ann Arbor when he first discover he was a jumper. David lived in a small town with his father, after his mother abandoned them at the age of five. David was picked on by many, going through high school with only one true friend, Millie Harris. One winter day some bullies threw Millie's snow glob onto the frozen lake. David went to get the snow glob when he fell through the ice, only to end up in the library. David realized he was able to transport himself instantaneously to any place. With the use of his new powers David robs a bank vault and moves to New York. 


The departure: Eight years later, David was hunted down by a shadowy group of government hunters and was forced to leave his apartment in New York. The initiation: After nearly escaping Roland Coxbad, a hunter, David returns home. After reuniting with his dad, David ran into Millie, who later travels to Rome with him. The road of trails: While in Rome David mets another jumper, Griffin. With Griffin's experience and wisdom, he helps David escape a run in with the hunters. David, now fully aware of the hunters violence, brings Millie home and runs into hiding with Griffin. The innermost cave: David, while in hiding, hears that the hunters were on to Millie and were to go get her. David goes to rescue her and, faced with his true feelings, he realizes what truly means the most to him and how he wants to live the rest of his life. The return and reintegration with society: David and Griffin face the hunters in the last battle, jumping from place to place. Although the boys escaped that battle, the war was not over. David and Millie track down David's mom, to discover she was a hunter, which was the reason for her abandonment. Due to her love her son, she is giving David and Millie a head start on the continuing war between hunters and jumpers.

In this heart racing, jumping adventure around the world, David Rice is the hero. David is the one ultimately who must defeat Roland and the hunters. Griffin is the mentor for David, Griffin teaches by example the skills necessary to survive running from and fighting the hunters. Millie is the common damsel in distress of the story. She must be rescued by David, first rescued from the small town and then from the seriously deadly hunters. The devil figure is Roland, who's main aim is to oppose David and put an end to all jumpers. He believes that these unique individuals do not deserve such powers. 


Which character archetype would David's mother be? Would she be the evil figure with the ultimately good heart? Although she is to continue her job of a hunter, she still tries to help her son, because of her love for him. 

Prince of Persia

In the mystical lands of Persia, Dastan and Tamina race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the sands of time. The dagger is a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. This story starts in the Royal City of Nasaf, ruled by King Sharamen, his brother Nizam, and his two sons, Garsir and Tus. King Sharamen impressed by Dastan's actions in the market one day, adopted this once orphan boy, making him now a rogue prince. Years later, after that day in the market, in the Holy City of Alamut ruled by the princess, Tamina, Dastan lead an invasion taking over the city. The invasion was influenced by Nizan, who claimed to intercepted a spy carrying weapons for Alamut. During the battle Dastan came upon the dagger. The King upset with the invasion, rushed to the Holy City. For the joining of the two cities, it was announced that there was to be an arranged marriage between Dastan and Tamina. To thank his father, Dastan gave him a holy cloak, delivered by Tus, only to discover the robe was poisoned as it killed his father. Dastan was wrongfully accused for murdering the king, so he escaped with the princess. Dastan find out the true powers of the dagger, as he and Tamina began their quest for justice. 

Dastan is the common character archetype the hero. He is the one ultimately who may fulfill the necessary task of clearing his name, protecting the dagger and restoring the dagger to its rightful place. The damsel in distress is Tamina, the vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero, Dastan. She and the dagger must be protected and guarded from the dark forces against them. King Sharaman is the scapegoat of the story, his death in the beginning of the story makes the theme a more powerful force for the hero, Dastan. The initiates of the story are the two birth sons of King Sharaman, Garsir and Tus. These two young heroes endure training to become true warriors, to stand for and protect their city. They represent innocence, just trying to do the right and find the true murderer of their father. Two men, who help Dastan and protect him from the dark forces, are the loyal retainers of this story, Sheikamar and Seso. They are reflections of the hero's nobility, with their fierce knife throwing skills and their reputation. The devil figure of this story is the wrongfully trusted uncle, Nizam, and the dark force. Nizam is jealous of his brother the king, he wants to use the dagger to go back in time and change the fact that he had saved his brothers life, from a hunting adventure when they were younger. He plans to us the dark force, a fighting group which uses black magic, to get the dagger, over take the kingdom, gaining fame and power.

On the quest to clear Dastan's name and return the dagger, the departure was when Dastan's father was killed and he was forced to run from the kingdom. Reluctant to accept this adventure when Dastan was called, not wanting to leave his home and family. The initiation: Dastan leaves the kingdom with Tamina and enters the desert, the unknown. The road of trails: Dastan is given supernatural aid discovering the powers of the dagger. Dastan and Tamina travel the desert, encountering many different groups, the dark forces and natural disasters. Having to survive and protect the dagger. The innermost cave: when the dark force steels the dagger and kills Dastan's brother, Dastan changes internally. He develops a plan to get the dagger back, restore order to all kingdoms and win the princesses heart. Dastan matures into man and realizes the true meaning of his father's words. The return and reintegration with society, Dastan uses his new wisdom to save the kingdom, return the dagger and win the heart of Tamina. 

Finding Nemo

A clown fish named Marlin, living in the Great Barrier Reef, loses his only son Nemo, after a fish had eaten his wife and the rest of his children. One day on a school field trip, Nemo ventures into the open dangerous sea, despite his father's wishes. Nemo is then abducted by a boat, netted up and sent to a dentist's office in Sydney. Trying to find Nemo, Marlin meets a fish named Dory, a blue tang suffering from short term memory loss. The two fish find them selves on the swim of their life, trying to find Nemo. The two new friends encounter various dangerous sea creatures; sharks, angler fish and jelly fish. Marlin and Dory, also make new friends; hooking a ride with the sea turtles, the pelican and the whale. Nemo and other sea creatures in the dentist's tank plot to break free. 

Marlin is the common archetype, the hero. He is to fulfill the necessary task of finding Nemo and bringing him back home. Marlin's wife and Nemo's mother is the scapegoat, her death starts the story and makes the theme a more powerful force to the hero, Marlin. Although the common archetype the damsel in distress is the woman who must be rescued by the hero, in this story Nemo is to be rescued by his father Marlin. Dory is the loyal retainer, she helps Marlin to find Nemo and protects Marlin. The sharks in this story are the evil figures with the ultimately good hearts, the sharks try very hard not to be fish eating and scary. Against the sharks' nature. There are many friendly beasts in Marlin's quest, there are; the turtles, the pelican and the whale. These animals assist Marlin, showing that nature is on his side.  

Marlin is on a quest to find Nemo. The departure: although Marlin is reluctant to accept when he is called to adventure, scared of the unknown, he dashes in to the deep sea racing after the boat that took Nemo. The initiation: after loosing the boat Martin found himself in a new busier part of the ocean. Leaving the safe security of the Great Barrier Reef, his home, behind. Marlin also meets Dory, a new friend, who will help him on his quest. The road of trails: on their way to Sydney, Dory and Marlin encounter dangerous creatures venturing a number of trails. Dining with sharks, out running an angle fish, jumping over jelly fish, riding the current with the turtles, being eaten by a whale and a pelican. The innermost cave: Marlin, while in the whale's mouth with Dory, has to go against his own belief and trust Dory. The two fish are hanging on the tongue faced with the fact of falling into the black unknown of the whale. Due to the trails Marlin changes internally and is emotionally reborn. Marlin trusts Dory and lets go of the tongue and falls. Only to be let out in the pier of Sydney. Letting go of the tongue also symbolized letting go of the fear he had held onto for so many years after the death of his wife and children. The return and reintegration with society: Marlin uses his new wisdom to save Nemo and Dory, when finally reunited, they get trapped in a fisher's net. Marlin's life can finally move forward with his new wisdom, his son and his new friends.


Another situation archetype is the father son conflict. As a result of losing his wife and children, Marlin is very protective of Nemo. This strong fear creates a barrier between them. This adventure forces Marlin to let go and allows for their relationship to grow and strengthen. 

Although when you first look at this story you believe that the hero of the movie is Marlin, looking deeper one may say Nemo is the hero. Though it appears that his father was sent to save him, it is actually through this quest that Marlin learns to enjoy life again and not live in fear. So really, this story could also be looked at as Nemo being the hero.

Sucker Punch

In the trailer the Sucker Punch the hero is Baby Doll and the initiates, who will go through trails and help the hero, are Amber, Blondie, Rocket and Sweet Pea. These five girls are stuck in a mental institution, to escape they are sent on a quest to find five objects. In the beginning of the movie you see Baby Doll at her mother's funeral. Her mother's character is the archetype of the scapegoat, her death makes the theme a more powerful  force for the heros. When Baby Doll first arrives at the Lennox House she is wearing a baggy pink dress, symbolizing innocence and youth. In her world, separate from reality, she is in a tighter black dress, symbolizing mystery and the unknown. The shapes and colours of the dresses change through the movie to show how she changes in to her true self and faces her inner fear. The Lennox House is dark and black also representing the unknown, the characters do not know what is to come. Their are two mentors that help them on their way, the Wise Man and Dr. Vera Gorski. They help them to reach the world and tell them what they must do. On quest the five girls are sent to find five objects; a map, fire,a knife, a key and the last object is a mystery. The map sends them on their way, showing them their paths. The fire represents power and control. The dragon breathes fire and in order to over come him, the heroes must gain the fire and control, over coming their fears. The knife represents sacrifice and revenge, what they desire and what they must do to get that revenge. The key symbolizes power and escape, the entrance to their goals. The last object is a mystery, facing their fears and determining if everyone will get what they deserve.

I predict Baby Doll and her initiates will go through trials and may have to make some sacrifices, such as; death, doing dark things they never imagined and some of the girls not achieving their freedom. I believe through the movie the girls will suffer punishments for their actions from the men with the control. I believe the last mystery item, will determine the fait of the girls and that it will involve a huge sacrifice. A death of one of the girls or of someone close to them.  However, I predict although the girls may not all get out of the Lennox House, the people who wronged them will get what they deserve.

Shark Tale

Deep in the sea, Don Lino and a family of sharks lord over a bustling aquatic community based along a massive underwater reef. Don Lino has two sons, Frankie and Lenny; Frankie is a carnivorous tough guy who takes after his father; but Lenny is at heart a kind soul who, despite his father's wishes, has become a vegetarian. One of Don Lino's cronies is Sykes, who runs a "whale wash" where Oscar scrubs aquatic mammals for a living. Oscar is a small fish who has a problem losing money but dreams of making something of himself. His dreams come true when an anchor drops, accidentally killing Frankie and Oscar is mistakingly known as "the shark killer." Oscar's overnight fame attracts the attentions of Lola, a slinky dragon fish who woos Oscar away from his steady date, Angie. Oscar strikes up a friendship with Lenny and has to decide what to do when Don Lino and Sykes decides it's time to "take care" of the "different" shark.

The Situation Archetypes of Shark Tale

The Task- Oscar and Lenny work together to reach each of their tasks. Oscar's is to become famous and make it to the top of the reef. Where as Lenny's is to hide from his family, so he can live his life how he wants to. As a vegetarian fish lover instead of a fish eating monster. 

The Initiation- Oscar gains an awareness when Don Lino kidnaps Angie, forcing Oscar to realize what means the most to him. With the help of Lenny, Oscar grows to the awareness that family and friends who love him for who he is, is more important then money and fame. 

Father-Son Conflict- Lenny and his father, Don Lino, are in a conflict. Don Lino wants Lenny to take over the family name and become a fish eating scary shark. However; Lenny wants to be a vegetarian and have fun with his friends.  

The Character Archetypes of Shark Tale

The Hero- Oscar, the fish, is a hero of the story. Oscar helps Lenny to live his life as a vegetarian and saves the city of fish from Lenny's angry father, Don Lino. 

The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart- Don Lino, the shark, is ruler of the city, feared and powerful. Don Lino is unhappy with the loss of one of his sons and disappointment of his vegetarian son. Don Lino seeks revenge and hunts down Oscar. Only to reunite with Lenny and eventually excepting him for the vegetarian shark he is. 

The Damsel in Distress- Angie, is the one fish that has always been there for Oscar. Oscar realized his true feels for her when Don Lino kidnaps Angie, and Oscar goes to rescue her. 

The Friendly Beast and The Outcast- Lenny is the vegetarian shark, outcasted by the rest of the sharks. Oscar and Lenny become great friends helping each other both live the life they desired. His scary shark like features make him a feared beast, but his kind heart makes him everyones friend.

The Temptress- Lola, the beautiful fish, wouldn't pay Oscar the time of day until he was famous. She stands for the tempting life style Oscar thought he desired and strived for through the movie. 

The Symbolic Archetypes of Shark Tale

Black- The colour of the sharks representing evil, and death, all the fish's fear towards the sharks. 

Red- The colour of the fish Lola, the temptress, representing violent passion, anger and disorder. Lola is bad for Oscar, she doesn't care for him just the fame and money. 

Violet- The colour of Angie, to represent nostalgia, for Angie was Oscar's family. Despite Oscar becoming famous, he always returned back home, to Angie. 

Green- The colour of Oscar, symbolizing envy, growth, and hope, to live at the top of the reef and be famous. With Oscars envy and hope to be better, he grows through out the movie. 

Orange- The colour of Oscar's face and arms, representing pride and ambition for something better.

Blue - Also one of Oscar's colours is blue, suggesting that he is devoted to become famous. Blue is also the colour Lenny, when he paints himself to hide from his family. He covers the black, evil of his skin with blue representing innocence, devotion and truth. The true kindness of Lenny. 

Stardust

For hundreds of years the cobblestone barrier, surrounding the English village Wall, had kept the citizens within safe from and unaware of the supernatural forces just outside it's perimeter. That is until, Tristan Thorne promises the fairest girl in the village, Victoria, that he will travel across the Wall to bestow a fallen star for her love. In crossing the wall Tristan will venture deep into Stormhold, where he discovers the fallen star he sought was in fact a beautiful girl named Yvaine. Yvaine is also being pursued by the King of Stormhold's sons, who want to use her cosmic powers to lay claim to the throne of Stormhold. In addition to these three witches, who long for eternal youth and beauty, want to hunt her down. As Tristan and Yvaine make their way through Stormhold, back to the entrance in the wall, they encounter a series of spectacular characters and creatures that will lead them to a fate neither imagined. 

The Stages of a Hero's Journey in Stardust 

Stage 1: Departure; when Tristan makes the promise to Victoria, that he will find and bring back the fallen star to prove his love for her. 

Stage 2: Initiation; when Tristan crosses the wall in to Stormhold, the threshold into a new world.

Stage 3: The Road of Trails; Tristan is given supernatural aid by the becoming friends with Yvaine, and being helped by the flying ship pirates and Yvaine's sisters the stars. 

Stage 4: The Innermost Cave; Tristan and Yvaine venture with the pirates' thunder hunting ship, to escape the witches. Tristan learns to fight and realizes that Yvaine is his true love. After finding out that Yvaine can not cross the Wall, Tristan races to save Yvaine and the fate of Stormhold. 

Stage 5: Return and Reintegration with Society; Tristan saves Yvaine, kills the witches and claims the throne of Stormhold, as their KIng. 

The Situation Archetypes in Stardust 

The Quest- Tristan is to venture to a new world in search of the fallen star, to bring back and better his life in the village of Wall. 

The Initiation- Tristan, through the quest, realizes his true love and gains a new awareness with the help of the pirates.

The Battle Between Good and Evil- The witches fighting against Tristan and the Stars. 

The Character Archetypes of Stardust

The Hero- Tristan is the hero of the story. Saving the star from the evil witches, selfish princes and returning the princess to her to her rightful place. 

The Friendly Beast- The pirates are feared by many, however they help Yvaine and Tristan run from the witches, taking them in as one of their own, teaching them how to fight and providing them with thunder. 

The Devil Figure- The witches strive for the hearts of stars to gain beauty and youth. The witches chase Tristan and Yvaine obsessed and stopping at nothing.

The Scapegoat- The princes' of Stormhold, through the movie, strive to find their father's heirloom to claim the thrown. Their deaths determine Tristan's fate as king of Stormhold. 

The Temptress- Victoria is what Tristan believed he wanted in the beginning of the movie. Tristan's misguided affection was wasted on Victoria's selfish, uncaring ways. 

The Damsel in Distress- Yvaine is the 'star' being chased by the three witches and the princes' of Stormhold. Tristan saves and protects Yvaine through out the movie. 

The Symbolic Archetypes of Stardust

Green- The colour of the witches magic, representing death, evil and envy. The witches want the heart of the star to be young and beautiful like they once were, the witches are envious of the star and young gorgeous woman. 

White- The colour of Tristan's coat through the movie. Symbolizing purity, peace, innocence and goodness. Tristan, at the end of the movie, wants to help the star and win the heart of his true love. 

White- Is the colour of Yvaine's dress in the beginning of the movie. Representing peace and innocence, before falling from the sky she was at peace, blissfully unaware that she was missing anything from her life.  

Blue- Where as at the end of the movie Yvaine has a blue dress on. Symbolizing devotion and truth, because she had discovered her true love. 

Aphrodite, The Goddess of Love

With Valentines day upon us, some may wonder, were the gods playing a cruel joke that Aphrodite should inspire us to love when so often our hearts are broken?
When you look at todays divorce rate, is it realistic to want true love?