Stand By Me Archetypes

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Heroes and Villains? What roles do characters play in a story? What shapes someone's behavior? What different types of people are they? These questions can be asked while watching Stand By Me directed by Rob Reiner. They can also be answered with the help of literary criticisms. There are two criticisms that fit perfectly with this movie. These two are archetypes and gender. The characters in Stand By Me fill a variety of different archetypes. Two characters seem to both fill the archetype of being the anti-hero. An anti-hero is a prominent character that characteristics are opposite to that of a conventional hero (“Anti-Hero”). At first glance, Vern seems to be the anti-hero. For example, in one scene, Vern is the last in the group and running after everyone. Nothing is in his way but he still manages to trip (Stand By Me). He is clumsy and even being in last place shows he is not good for anything.The other characters seem to acknowledge Vern as being extra baggage too. During the lake scene, Teddy calls Vern a “wimp” and a “pussy” (Stand By Me). The characters and Vern’s own actions build up the idea that he is basically …show more content…

Ace is the leader of the “bad guys” and is clearly struggling to fulfill common male stereotypes. In one scene, Ace and his buddies are racing down a street. Another car is heading straight for his but he does not move off to the side and recklessly risk his own life and the other people in the cars. Afterwards, he simply says, “I won” (Stand By Me). He is dangerously trying to be the alpha male and that strong male stereotype goal is influencing his behavior. Stand By Me also shows Ace and his friends discussing going to find the dead body. Two of his friend do not want to go and Ace does not care. He raises his voice and uses harsher language to seem to be tougher and demands they go. He is once again trying to be the alpha male by being more assertive and manly to his

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