A Thousand Faces A Thousand Faces Behind the MaskBehind the Mask

An Introduction to Trickster An Introduction to Trickster TalesTales

By Jodi SmithBy Jodi Smith

Plainfield North High School, Plainfield North High School, 20062006

Familiar Faces: Familiar Faces: What do they have in common?What do they have in common?

Characteristics of the Trickster Characteristics of the Trickster Type in LiteratureType in Literature

Devious (vocabulary word alert!!! Devious (vocabulary word alert!!! ))Unstable; can be shape-shiftersUnstable; can be shape-shifters Inconsistent; sometimes wise, Inconsistent; sometimes wise,

sometimes foolishsometimes foolishLive “outside” society; misfits…tend to Live “outside” society; misfits…tend to

be amoralbe amoralAcknowledge no agenda but their own…Acknowledge no agenda but their own…

which is subject to changewhich is subject to changeAdaptable survivors who live by their Adaptable survivors who live by their

witswits

Shifting Roles of the TricksterShifting Roles of the Trickster

Entertainment: Tricksters usually Entertainment: Tricksters usually steal the show! (Ex—Capt. Jack steal the show! (Ex—Capt. Jack Sparrow.)Sparrow.)

Balance: Bring order out of chaos Balance: Bring order out of chaos and vice versa. (Ex—Cupid, Puck, and vice versa. (Ex—Cupid, Puck, etc.)etc.)

Hero or Anti-Hero (Ex—Prometheus Hero or Anti-Hero (Ex—Prometheus stealing fire)stealing fire)

ArchetypesArchetypes

• An archetype is a model for a pattern which follows. For example, what associations come to mind with these words…

Mother?Mother?

Stepmother?Stepmother?

Shadow?

Fool?

Hero?

Villain?

And now…the $64 question…And now…the $64 question…

Who or what does the Trickster Who or what does the Trickster symbolize?symbolize? Human nature?Human nature? Inexplicable fate?Inexplicable fate? The effect of forbidden The effect of forbidden

knowledge?knowledge? The need to change with the The need to change with the

times?times? Something else?Something else?

That is for you to That is for you to decide! decide!

As you read, note…As you read, note…

Explanations of Nature’s mysteriesExplanations of Nature’s mysteries Implied social values of the cultureImplied social values of the cultureEvidence to support your thoughts of Evidence to support your thoughts of

the Trickster’s symbolic purposethe Trickster’s symbolic purpose

~The End~~The End~