A Study of the Archetypes of "Hero" and "Self" in "The "Persians and I Trilogy" by Arman Arian

Archetypes are some shared concepts that have been accumulated in the human collective unconsciousness. Collective unconsciousness contents are manifested through symbols in myths, religions, dreams, imaginations, and works of art. Archetypal criticism could be defined a branch of literary criticism which deals with analyzing archetypes in a literary work. Considering the “hero” as one of the elements of the adolescent literature is of special importance, and the choice of lifestyle and character of the heroes can broaden the adolescents' view of life and help them find their purpose. In the myth-heroic novel of “Persians and I Trilogy” with such special features of its main characters, the archetype of "the hero" has a special place. In this article, some concepts of Archetypal criticism, such as the unconscious and the archetype, have been briefly examined and followed by that, archetypes such as "hero", "hero journey", "wise old man", "self" and "love" are analyzed based on Jungian theories. This study shows that the main characters in whom the archetype of the hero can be traced obviously, have accomplished the stages of self-knowledge and have appreciated their true "self" through the vicissitudes associated with this archetype. They also have become aware of their collective and national identity in their social life.
Introduction
Archetypes are universal forms that have been accumulated over thousands of years in the human collective unconscious. The contents of the collective unconscious manifest as symbols in myths, religions, dreams, fantasies, and works of art. Archetypal criticism is a branch of literary criticism that deals with analyzing archetypes present in a literary work. Among the archetypes that prominently appear in literature are the "hero" and the "Self." These archetypes are particularly evident in adolescent literature, as the unique characteristics of adolescence lead to a more pronounced appearance of these figures; because the choices regarding the life path and personality of the heroes can expand the adolescent's perspective on life and help them find their purpose. The mythic-heroic “Persians and I Trilogy” and its central characters, with their distinct traits, are a suitable candidate for examining the “hero” archetype.
The author's focus on mythology, along with the meaningful objectives and valuable themes explored within them is thought provoking. The novel's storyline and the journey of the characters, from raw and immature adolescence to maturity, growth, and liberation from personal ambitions, provide an appropriate foundation for an archetypal critique of this work. This research aims to examine the "hero" archetype in this trilogy, using Jungian ideas, and follow the characters' journey toward individuation (the "Self" archetype).
Methodology
This research is follows a descriptive-analytical approach, conducted through a textual approach and utilizing library-based information-gathering methods. After defining archetypes and archetypal criticism, and extracting the characteristics of the "hero" archetype based on Gurion’s classification, the study explores these characteristics in Parsyan va Man (Persians and I). In this way, the process of the main characters' journey toward "individuation" is followed. According to Wilfred L Gurion’s classification of the "hero archetype," the hero goes through three stages: the quest, initiation, and scape Goat (sacrifice/selflessness). These three stages are examined in the mentioned work.
In this context, the "wise old man" archetype, a sub-branch of the "hero" archetype, as well as the component of "love," which is related to the "Self" archetype, will also be explored. Finally, the research seeks to answer the following questions:

To what extent has the author been influenced by archetypes and the collective unconscious in the creation of this work, and what is the purpose behind the retelling of this myth?
How closely does the story align with the concepts of the hero archetype?

Findings
"Mythic criticism" or "archetypal criticism," which emerged as an approach in 20th-century criticism, examines literary works from an intertextual perspective, exploring the dialogical relationship of these works with motifs based on archetypes.
The stories within literary discourses are numerous and diverse, yet the patterns they follow are limited. The story of human life throughout history doesn't exceed a few fundamental patterns and templates. One of these ancient patterns is the "hero's journey" and the other is the archetype of "individuation" or "selfhood." In fact, “the hero” and “self” archetypes are interconnected.
The heroes in the “Persians and I Trilogy” also go through the three stages of the "hero archetype." The quest (the hero’s long journey to accomplish a challenging duty), initiation (in this stage, the hero undergoes hardships and torturous fates to reach intellectual and social maturity and become a constructive member of their social group), and scape Goat (sacrifice/selflessness) (facing death and sacrificing oneself for a greater mission).
Ultimately, beyond the external achievements of their journeys, the main characters in Persians and I Trilogy reach a more valuable outcome: gaining comprehensive experience and insight into the various dimensions of themselves as human beings. All three characters elevate from the one-dimensional "I" to the higher level of the "Self," ultimately reaching truths beyond ordinary reason and logic. They resolve their inner contradictions and, free from personal grudges and concerns, join a greater movement to save the world.
Conclusion
An archetypal analysis of “Persians and I Trilogy” reveals that primordial archetypes play a significant role in this literary work. The story begins with the "hero’s journey," a well-known archetype. The "Wise Old Man" appears in various forms, and the hero character, by passing through the stages of heroism (quest, initiation, and scape Goat), attains two key forms of knowledge: self-knowledge and social self-awareness.
In hero myths, both stages of personal growth and the manifestation of social identity can be seen. The hero characters in this tripartite also grew and evolved both individually and socially; they transformed opposites within themselves into unity, and appeared as influential figures in their societies, creating awe and wonder.
Undoubtedly, this literary work, with its extensive use of myths and reliance on the hero archetype, will be engaging for young readers. Given that it imparts valuable concepts hidden within the hero’s journey, it can have a profound impact on adolescents’ growth and self-identification