Member-only story

Archetypal and Cultural Perspectives on the Foreigner

Bruce Snyder

·9.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Archetypal And Cultural Perspectives On The Foreigner: Minorities And Monsters

5 min read

86 View Claps

20 Respond

Save

Listen

The figure of the foreigner has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue in human societies. In literature, mythology, and popular culture, the foreigner often serves as a symbol of the unknown, the mysterious, and the threatening. Yet, the foreigner can also be a source of wisdom, renewal, and change.

Archetypal and Cultural Perspectives on the Foreigner: Minorities and Monsters

by Joanne Wieland-Burston

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1091 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	100 pages

In this article, we will explore the archetypal and cultural perspectives on the foreigner. We will examine how the foreigner has been represented in literature, mythology, and popular culture, and we will discuss the ways in which these representations have shaped our understanding of the foreigner.

The Archetypal Foreigner

The archetypal foreigner is a figure who is both familiar and strange. They are often portrayed as an outsider, someone who comes from a different culture, speaks a different language, and has different customs. The foreigner can be a source of fear and suspicion, but they can also be a source of wonder and fascination.

The archetypal foreigner often appears in literature and mythology as a trickster, a figure who can outsmart the gods and mortals alike. In Greek mythology, for example, the god Hermes is known for his cunning and his ability to outwit his opponents. In Native American mythology, the trickster figure is often a coyote, a symbol of chaos and disorder.

The trickster figure is often associated with the foreigner because they represent the unknown and the unpredictable. They are a reminder that there is more to the world than we can know, and that the familiar can quickly become strange.

The Cultural Foreigner

The cultural foreigner is a figure who is defined by their cultural differences. They may come from a different country, speak a different language, or have different customs. The cultural foreigner can be seen as a threat to the established order, or they can be seen as a source of new ideas and perspectives.

In the United States, for example, immigrants have often been seen as a threat to the American way of life. However, immigrants have also played a vital role in shaping American culture. They have brought new foods, new music, and new ideas to the United States, and they have helped to make the country a more diverse and vibrant place.

The cultural foreigner can be a source of both fear and fascination. They can represent the unknown and the unpredictable, or they can represent the possibility of change and renewal.

The Foreigner in Literature, Mythology, and Popular Culture

The foreigner has been a popular subject in literature, mythology, and popular culture for centuries. In literature, the foreigner often serves as a symbol of the unknown and the mysterious. In mythology, the foreigner is often a trickster figure, a character who can outsmart the gods and mortals alike. In popular culture, the foreigner is often portrayed as a threat to the established order, or as a source of new ideas and perspectives.

Some of the most famous examples of the foreigner in literature include:

Odysseus, the Greek hero who travels to many foreign lands
Hamlet, the Danish prince who is haunted by the ghost of his father
The Great Gatsby, the American millionaire who is haunted by his past

Some of the most famous examples of the foreigner in mythology include:

Hermes, the Greek god of trickery and travel
Coyote, the Native American trickster figure
The sphinx, the Egyptian creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human

Some of the most famous examples of the foreigner in popular culture include:

The alien, a creature from outer space
The immigrant, a person who comes to a new country to live
The refugee, a person who is forced to flee their home country due to war or persecution

As we continue to live in an increasingly globalized world, it is important to understand the different perspectives on the foreigner. By understanding the archetypal and cultural perspectives on the foreigner, we can better understand our own prejudices and biases, and we can work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming world.

Archetypal and Cultural Perspectives on the Foreigner: Minorities and Monsters

by Joanne Wieland-Burston

5 out of 5