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            I have already completed a blog where I described what I felt was the main archetypes of each of the main character. However, I only want to focus on showcasing a different archetype that each narrator possesses. Xavier can fall under “the hero” and Niska can fall under “the great mother” as a different archetype they have along with the other archetypes I mentioned in the other post.

Most characters with the hero archetype always wants to do what is right and will never alone anyone to sway their morals. For example, superman never let anyone change his morals, he knew what was right and what was wrong much like Xavier, he does not allow the soldiers to influence any changes in his behaviour. So, generally speaking most hero archetypes just have a good sense of justice and won’t allow others to change their beliefs and morals. Also, for a character to be a hero, they must excel at one particular thing which is what makes them so great that they are above and superior to everyone else in that field. Xavier narrates: “Elijah takes a long time sighting, makes a show of it for the spectators, gently squeezes the trigger and misses. My head is light and today has turned into a good day for m.” (Boyden 109). Xavier won the competition and it is clear within the story that Xavier is the better sniper between the two. This shows another aspect of how he is a hero because he is the best at hunting and heroes are meant to be very skilled.

Niska proves to have the great mother archetype as she is trying her best to nurse Xavier back to health during their three-day journey. The great mother archetype obviously has great maternal instincts as well being compassionate to other people, trying to help or take care of them. For example, Aunt Vivian from Fresh Prince of Bel-air, the television channel, also has the great mother archetype as she has to take care of her multiple children along with her nephew Will. She is strict yet she provides them with great advice and is always going to care for them. Niska is very similar in that regard because she is also Xavier’s aunt and she cares for him so much while she nurses him back to health she also tries to give him some advice. Niska narrates: “I must figure out a cure or I will lose him” (Boyden 34). This quote shows how much she cares for Xavier, doing anything in her range of capabilities she can to heal him.

The Lynx is an important symbol because this animal represents protection. The lynx helped both Elijah and Xavier escape the forest fire. Xavier says, “It was the Lynx that came to me most strongly, his growls puffing out the walls of my tent like a great wind trying to escape.” (Page 176). By knowing the lynx’s tracks they were able to be safe. Also, the lynx is a great symbol of protection because it protected the main characters.

Although, there is a harsh reality about people with these hero archetypes, they always have something to hide. Xavier tried to hide his morphine addiction but through all of this he is still the nest suited to receive this archetype in the novel. His journey is similar to some heroes because he and a bunch of heroes both have had horrible childhoods. However, the main character’s hero archetype differs from the general journey because of the time and place of the novel. The novel follows the three-day journey as they retell their past stories.

In conclusion, Xavier can also have the hero archetype and Niska is accurately depicted with the great mother archetype.