We don’t often think of mythic archetypes as something we would apply to our daily lives. And yet our own little personal mythologies can shape our social interactions.
I’ve been thinking about this lately, while wathcing Season 20 of Survivor. Twice a year, this show sends a bunch of people off to some remote location, puts them through a variety of contests and then makes them vote each other out of the game. Because the players are all living together in rough camps, the nature and quality of their social behavior can have a big effect on how far an individual may last in the game. And the game is designed in such a way that merely getting to the Final Two or Three is not necessarily an indication of good gameplay on your part: it could be because other players know you are so disliked that if given a choice between you and themselves, the jury (players previously voted out) will not give you the big prize.
Over the years, there have been those who believed that winning at challenges is the key to winning the whole. Or making big plays to dump athletes or very social players. Some have believed that controlling all actions of their alliances is the winning way. Others choose to stay under the radar, not being too outstanding, or too obnoxious, or too visible in any fashion.
But all of these approaches are affected by the presentation each player makes of his or her self. This seemed particularly evident in Survivor’s Season 20, which was labeled up-front “Heroes Versus Villains.” In this case, the players did not really self-select these designations. And yet, some embraced the labels, some rejected them, and some didn’t care. On an obvious level, Rupert deeply embraced the designantion of “hero,” to the degree that he was very reluctant to ally with a so-called “villain.” Colby as well clung to his perception of “playing with honor.” Russell gleefully plowed through players as chief villain (calling himself “king” several times). Coach, who seemed disconcerted to be classed as a villain, set out to play with what he perceived as honor and warrior ethics.
The problem with all this is that the game of Survivor is not designed to accommodate such self-perceptions. The social aspect of the game ends up ruling the final decisions of the jury, the people who will choose the million dollar winner. Thus, insisting that just being “athletic and winning challenges” won’t help someone who doesn’t get along with his or her tribe-mates. For those who believe they can “play with honor,” the reality is that they will have to breakk a promise at some point if they want to stay in the game.
The game of Survivor favors those who can operate in the modes of the mythic figures of Tricksters and Shapeshifters.
The Trickster, let us remember, is one who punctures illusions, works from the position of being an underdog, and who keeps the sense of humor at hand. Not that the ojbect is to be the “class clown,” but rather to keep the sense of balance in the face of incongruity. Tricksters keep an eye toward the best opportunities for bringing down “the big guys.” A Trickster knows vividly he or she is at a disadvantage at all times, and so never lets down the guard. If switiching alliances or just one vote serves the Trickster, that person will do it. And all the while, the Trickster will work at maintaining public humor, in order to keep the social situation from turning against him.
The Shapeshifter, by contrast, is the one who keeps secret some key piece of information. In Survivor, that could be a hidden alliance or possession of a hidden Immunity Idol. A Shapeshifter will change voting targets as the game changes. A Shapeshifter will change social activity as circumstances change: such as letting someone else “provide food” for a long time, until that person is no longer needed for strategic purposes; as soon as it is an advantage, the Shapeshifter will become a “provider” (assuming possession of that skill). Another Shapeshifter might hold off in physical challenges until late in the game, when individual immunity is most important.
The way to deal with a Shapeshifter is either change shapes with that person or to hold onto them until they reveal their “hidden truth.” When applied to Survivor, I suppose that means “be in an alliance with them.”
But note, of all the mythical archetypes, these two are best adapted to changing circumstances. They are not the ones who come into the game and stick to a rigid personal mythology. “Heroes,” “villains,” “warriors,” “honorable player,” “pure athlete,” all those personal labels end up tripping the players who cling to them.
As I said, applying mythic motifs to our “real world” lives takes some careful consideration. Real lives tend to be more complicated than “story lives.” And yet, because myth is about meaning, we do, in the end, tend toward the mythic shapes that best convey our “personal meaning.” It’s an interesting prospect to consider. What mythic forms are most important in your life? And how do they become manifested in your lifte?
I’m going to have to go think about this some more. I’ll be interested in anyone’s thoughts about it.
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