In Neal Shusterman's novel, "Scythe," the mentor, the initiate, and ritual archetypes play a significant role in illustrating the idea that the greater good isn't always morally correct. The story is set in a future world where death no longer exists, and society is governed by scythes, individuals tasked with randomly selecting people to die to keep the population under control. The mentor archetype is embodied by Faraday, a wise and experienced scythe who takes on Citra and Rowan as his apprentices. Faraday's character is crucial in the novel as he serves as a moral compass, teaching his apprentices the importance of compassion and empathy. Faraday's teachings and actions highlight that the greater good isn't always morally correct. For …show more content…
They are both selected by Faraday to be his apprentices, and they soon discover the harsh reality of being a scythe. As initiates, they are meant to learn the ways of the scythe, but they also question the system's morality. Citra and Rowan's initiation into the scythe's world highlights the idea that blindly following a system or tradition that is morally questionable can lead to dangerous outcomes. Finally, the ritual archetype is evident throughout the novel. The rituals of scythes are symbolic and significant, from the gleaning ceremony to the ring ceremony. The rituals serve to reinforce the scythe's power and remind society of their role. However, the rituals also emphasize the idea that the greater good isn't always morally correct. For example, the gleaning ceremony is meant to be a solemn event, but it often becomes a macabre spectacle, and the scythes who enjoy it highlight the dangers of blindly following tradition. In the novel, the idea of the greater good is a central theme. The scythes justify their actions as necessary to maintain order and prevent overpopulation, but their methods are questionable. The scythes' actions, like the selection of a pregnant woman to die, highlight the dangers of prioritizing the greater good over individual