Archetype
With any story telling, characters seem to fit in the same mold as perviously established archetype. Usually a set of characters would be fitted into a specific genre and stick to one archetype. However I am legend defies the familiar set up by having collective group of archetype in each character. Neville is presented as a byronic and a tragic hero in the text; moody, cynical, thirst for revenge, yet caring and gentle. Neville drove himself to alcoholism after the death of his family, leaving him in desolated of emotion when he first met Ruth. Ruth, plays a double agent, infiltrating Neville’s home, seeking Neville for revenge. Yet there is a turn of heart in Ruth — she also falls under tart with a heart, as she is the only one that does not resent Neville. Even Ben Cortman plays two archetypes, a super-villain and an evil clown. The super-villain is shown with a enhance strength he acquired and being leader of the vampires pack, always the first to stand in front of Neville’s hideout. The evil clown, while less obvious, is indicated by constantly taunting Neville, staring at Neville all night.
* any italicized words are archetype
Why do you think that Ruth is a prostitute?
ReplyDeleteEven though, the archetype "tart with a heart" can be substitutes with "prostitute with a heart," it is not the occupation that I want to address, but rather role Ruth plays. She is part of the vampires -- hence the darkness and immorality that can be similar to a prostitution. Metaphorically, Ruth is a prostitute -- selling herself to the vampire pack for revenge. But the archetype "tart with a heart," I want to focus on Ruth's sympathy with Neville's isolation.
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