Life is a constant cycle between life and death. From birth a child is seen as having an innocent soul but, later in their lives he/she comes across many hardships. The first memory of them being born into this world is of them, crying. When the child grows up, he/she undergoes physical development, as the body begins to change through puberty. Also, mental development is seen to progress throughout their life in order for them to comprehend with society. The cycle of life and death is a fundamental concept which is the common denominator that connects everyone and everything. Similarly, in various works of literature the protagonist is not exactly the same but, they follow the same cycle within their journey. The archetype of the journey …show more content…
Simultaneously, part of the human mind contains collective unconsciousness which is shared by all members of the human species. As a writer, and playwright Timothy Findley continues to amaze his audience through the development of his characters that are challenged by their own sanity in society. Robert Ross demonstrates the role of an archetypal hero as he comes across many obstacles during his journey that signify pivotal turning points in his life, which are self questioning. The story of Robert’s quest for survival demonstrates a number of archetypal elements, which are evident in terms of the plot, characterization and symbolism found in The Wars. According to psychoanalyst Carl Jung who understood universal patterns and images to be derived from our psychic existence, including thought patterns, dreams and arts. The protagonist, Robert Ross in Timothy Findley’s novel The Wars portrays characteristics of the archetypal hero when he undergoes a loss of innocence through the deaths, which propel him into “the underworld”; this is demonstrated as he embarks on a journey to find purpose and which he encounters the existential truth and after he is able to embrace the depths of life, he is then transformed by the experiences and returns back to “the ordinary