Heroine Archetypes: Which One Are You?


  
Seductress or Librarian? Nurturer or Crusader?  Which classic heroine archetype best fits your personality?  Which archetype do you prefer your heroines to be?  In this blog, we'll take a look at the eight classic heroine archetypes and then I'll let you know which one I am! 

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Heroine Archetypes
The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Tami D. Cowden, Cara LaFever and Sue Viders is a fascinating book that breaks down the vast array of human personalities into sixteen classic archetypes - eight for heres and eight for heroines.  (The following definitions are borrowed from The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever, Sue Viders, pg 50, 2000 edition).

 

  1. The Boss - a real go-getter, she climbs the ladder of success
  2. The Seductress - an enchantress, she charms to get her way
  3. The Spunky Kid - gutsy and true, she is loyal to the end
  4. The Free Spirit - an eternal optimist, she dances to unheard tunes
  5. The Librarian - controlled and clever, she holds back
  6. The Waif - a distressed damsel, she bends, but does not break
  7. The Crusader - a dedicated fighter, she meets commitments
  8. The Nurturer - serene and capable, she nourishes the spirit

For each archetype, the authors discuss various traits affecting personality such as qualities, virtues, flaws, background, styles and as well as potential occupations. 

As I mentioned in my last blog on Hero Archetypes, the authors also show how each of the hero archetypes interact, affect or are affected by each of the heroine archetypes.  For example, the Professor and the Seductress.  They clash - each is baffled by the other.  She doesn't understand why he is more focused on her mind than her physical attributes.  On the other hand, they have many points in common - each likes to be in their own head and consider the impacts of their options before acting.  Each changes becoming somewhat more like the other.  He learns that the body can be as enjoyable as the mind and she learns that she is more than just a body.

In my next blog, I will discuss some of the more interesting match-ups and see if we can find possible examples of them in contemporary novels, movies or television shows.

What Archetype Am I?

Here goes, my personality matches the LIBRARIAN archetype.   Is this surprising?  Not really.  I think the librarian personality archetype is probably very common among authors as writing is a very solitary, detailed oriented occupation.  And hey, you know what they say about librarians when they let their hair down!



Now it's your turn to spill the beans. What archetype best matches your personality? 

Heroines: Contemporary Examples
What's your favorite heroine archetype and can you think of an example in a book, movie or TV show?

While I was quite clear on my favorite hero archetype, I'm not so certain of my favorite female archetype.  Do you have a favorite?  If so, what is it?

Lets look at the heroines in some popular modern fiction and try to identify the archetype.

Spunky Kid
Rachel Morgan in Kim Harrison's Hallows Series
Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series
Betsy Taylor in MaryJanice Davidson's Queen Betsy Series

I think all three of these heroines represent various facets of the SPUNKY KID archetype. 
- Stephanie is probably a Spunky Kid archetype.  She's your average girl with average talents but she doesn't let that hold her back.  She jumps head first into any situation and makes the best of it.
- Rachel is a witch but she was a normal witch until she discovered her affinity for demons. 
- Betsy was your usual working girl until she was bitten by a vampire and became the Vampire Queen. 

Boss
Dr. Kerry Weaver in ER
Adele DeWitt in Dollhouse
 - both of these characters are confident and dynamic.  Both are blunt and live for their job.

Boss or Librarian?
Dr. Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs
- Dr. Brennan is an interesting character.  In many aspects, she is the boss - she is confident, the best in her field and she got there by being a perfectionist and a workaholic. In Reichs books, Brennan is shown to be introverted and although she has been married and has a child, relationships prove to be a challenge to her.
My vote is that she is a Librarian.

On television, there are many examples of crusader (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), free spirit (Dharma in Dharma and Greg), Nurturer (mom's in any of the old sitcoms - think June Cleaver).  Can you think of examples of these archetypes in novels?  If so, please let me know. 

It's your turn now!  Post a comment and let us know what archetype fits you best and why.

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Happy Writing,
Kristine

Posted by Kristine Cayne at 1/16/2010 3:27 PM
Categories: characterization, Writing, Writing Process
Tags: writing heroines beginner characters author
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