Have you ever wondered what it is that makes a hero?
In her book, The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By, Pearson explores the timeless tales of heroes and discovers six archetypal patterns.
These patterns are universally found in our stories and in our lives.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at what Pearson has to say about the power of these heroic archetypes.
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The First Archetype
Pearson discusses the “Everyman/Everywoman” archetype first.
This represents the ordinary person who finds him or herself thrust into extraordinary circumstances and rises to face the challenge with courage and determination.
These heroes are often underestimated due to their lack of experience or knowledge, but they ultimately prove their worth through hard work and dedication.
Think of characters like Harry Potter or Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games.
Both were ordinary people put into extraordinary situations and rose to meet them with courage and strength.
The Second Archetype
The “Outlaw” hero is discussed as the second archetype, which can be seen in characters like Robin Hood or Han Solo from Star Wars.
Outlaw heroes often operate outside society’s rules and conventions to achieve justice for those wronged or neglected by authority figures.
They value freedom over conformity but also know when to play by the rules if it means achieving the greater good for all involved.
The Third Archetype
The third discussed is “The Warrior.”
The brave hero faces danger head-on with fearlessness and honor at their core.
Think of characters such as Achilles from Greek mythology or Aragorn from Lord of the Rings.
Both exemplify bravery on the battlefield while still staying true to their moral code in difficult situations.
Pearson then goes on to discuss three more archetypes.
The Caregiver, The Seeker, and The Lover.
Each of which represents different aspects of heroism that can be found within ourselves. As well as within our favorite stories.
Ultimately, Pearson argues that we all have these heroic traits within us; it is simply a matter of recognizing them and harnessing them for good in our own lives.
Conclusion
In her book The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live, Pearson explores how heroic archetypes manifest themselves not only in literature but also within ourselves.
From the Everyman/women who find themselves thrust into extraordinary circumstances to Warriors who fight valiantly against injustice, these archetypal patterns are found throughout human history. And are waiting to be unlocked within each one of us.
Are you looking for an inspiring read that will help you recognize your own inner hero?
Then this book is definitely worth checking out.
