Who Am I: What Do I Really Want?

Posted by Anjuelle Floyd | Filed under Articles and Essays, Musings

According to Jungian theory, the shadow aspect of one’s personality contains any, and everything that falls out of alignment, stands apart, from the ego ideal.

The writer must examine the central character’s values, those held by her or his family, mother, father and culture, to gain a sense of how the Shadow archetype might manifest in story.

Thus the Shadow archetype then relates back-story, a character’s history. Characters that embody, or serve as the Shadow archetype transmit both positive and negative energies.

They serve as either obstacles working in tandem with Guardians at the Threshold, or simultaneous to Mentors who encourage and directly support the protagonist in attaining her or his goal.

The protagonist’s self-awareness and understanding of her or his own motivations in trying to achieve her or his goal determines the quality the Shadow archetype will take.

The personality of the character(s) filling that role shape how they will manifest and whether they will supporting and/or prohibit the central character actions towards fulfilling her or his quest.

Projection can heavily influence the major character’s interactions with the Shadow archetype. A protagonist who is a jewel thief, and who is also forever fearing that those they meet will steal her or his precious gems has much to learn about others, and particularly about her, or himself.

In actuality it is the known jewel thieves who are her or his friends and family that cause the greatest irritation. And for very good reason. Who better to project one’s propensity to steal that those most like one’s own self. For the jewel thief this constitutes all other thieves?

The central character’s dilemma circles not so much around the thieves, or those who reflect similarities in one’s own personality and actions, rather her or his inability to come to grips with their own act of stealing–those aspects of our own character and nature that leave use ashamed and embarrassed at who we are and what we do as a result of our identity.

Characters wearing the mask of the Shadow archetype propel the story along by not only to antagonizing and motivating the protagonist to act. They also to make the central character aware of who she or he is.

The character that embodies and transmits the energies of Shadow uncovers, and reveals the identity of the protagonist for her, or himself to see and experience, and in so doing to grow and transform.

Who am I–truly? And what do I honestly want?

This is the question every protagonist must answer if she or he is to fulfill their dreams, achieve their goal and wishes, and live out her or his destiny within the script of the story.

The Shadow archetype forces the major character to interact with those aspects of her or himself that lie just beneath the surface of awareness.

Through her or his interactions with the protagonist the character fulfilling the role of shadow creates the greatest internal tension and discomfort for the protagonist.

What is the value of system of your protagonist?

How has her or his family shaped this value system?

How does writing add value to your life?

Other aspects and questions you might want to ponder are:

Consider the history or back-story of one the central character in one of your stories.

How has this shaped his fears?

What character in the present story line more resembles your major character?

How are they alike?

What constitutes the greatest challenge for your protagonist and the character whose personality and actions are similar to hers or his?