Who's the Damsel?

Jackson Pearce came to talk to all the literature classes about the different examples of archetypes and how they fit into all of the basic storylines that we know. The archetype that caught my attention was that of the damsel in distress. Pearce made it very clear though that the damsel in distress did not have to be completely incapable or dependent on other characters; just at certain parts throughout the work of literature that they are in, they need help from those surrounding them. At some point, I believe that every character within every work is a damsel that needs the help of others to help them in their time of need.

In the Hunger Games, this was very evident. The stereotypical damsel in distress archetype would be placed on Prim in the beginning though. She is a frail, young girl that needs the help of others to survive even in the beginning of the book. When it is stated that she is supposed to go fight in the Hunger Games, Katniss has to step in and take her place. Prim is the ultimate character that needed saving, but she is not the only character within this novel that is the damsel in distress.

 Katniss can also be considered a damsel in distress as well. Although this would not be the first archetype that readers would place her under, she still has qualities of a damsel in distress. She needs the help of Peeta to survive and finish first in the Hunger Games, and after to support her in the rebellion following. Katniss has her moments of weakness, and although she puts on this act of being a tough individual that is self- reliant, she needs that “warrior” or “protective” figure to stand by her and fight for her in her time of need.

Peeta can also be considered a damsel at times. He was Katniss’ protector and guardian for much of the novel’s series, but in the last book, when his memory is taken away, the roles are reversed. He needs Katniss to remind him of the person that he used to be. He needs her to remain close and act like the figure that he was to her. Peeta is also the softer of the two boys fighting for Katniss, which also makes it easier to place him under this category.

There are always a few characters though that have little to no connection to the damsel in distress archetype. Gale is one of those characters. He is the “warrior” figure and although his attitude about fighting and running away and war have changed since the beginning of the book, his archetype has not. He still wants to fight for those people that he loves and he wants to fight for something bigger than himself. Characters like Gale are needed to oppose the damsel image.

 Archetypes are always found within characters, but some may not be as apparent as others. The juxtaposition between the warrior and damsel in distress must always counteract each other in order for there to be balance in the novel.