Lecture Program & Film Reviews: Lecture #2 Archetypes and Storytelling Film Analysis

Archetypes and Storytelling in The Truman Show (1998)

 The Truman Show (1998) follows the artificial life of a man named Truman, who slowly realises he lives in a TV show. A mundane insurance salesman in his false reality, a global superstar to the outside world. Truman struggles to escape an island designed to constantly watch him. Equipped with a collage picture of his high school love, Truman is determined to escape his fake life and find his romantic interest on the other side of the screen.

The Hero

Truman is the protagonist of his own show. The two audiences (The viewers of the film and the on-screen viewers of the Truman show) witness Truman's life through his own perspective. The hero experiences growth throughout the film, as he slowly learns his life is a lie. 

The Herald

An abstract call to adventure. The Herald is the lighting equipment that falls into the street in front of Truman during the opening of the film. This unusual circumstance initiated Truman's questioning.

The Mentor

Truman's supposedly dead father returns to the Truman show set. This meeting encourages Truman to question what he sees and hears. Nothing is what it seems.

The Threshold Guardian

Christof tests Truman at the threshold of leaving his false reality. Truman must outwit Christof, the creator of the 30-year show, in order to escape the camera's and the set. Truman sneaks out his home using a body double and faces his fear of the ocean as an attempt run.

The Shapeshifter

Not only is Truman's father a mentor, but a character that changes through the narrative. The father plays a huge role in the show until his tragic fake death whilst sailing with his son. The father chooses to sneak back onto set many years later, breaking the false reality built around Truman. At this point, the father has chosen to change sides; his loyalty is now with Truman instead of Christof. This engagement changes the hero, Truman, forever. 

 The Shadow

Christof has destroyed Truman by stealing his real life, turning him into a doll. These two characters mirror each other; one on each side of the TV screen. They also mirror each others desires; Truman wants to explore and understand the world, whereas Christof wants to escape into an idyllic land away from the horrors of reality.

The trickster

Christof torments the hero, Truman, by meddling with his life. The trickster removes Sylvia, Truman's love interest, and replaces her with Meryl. Christof mischievously forges Truman's entire life for him, suffocating any real ambition he has to see the world.

Allies

Sylvia is the first character in Truman's life to reveal the truth. Although unsuccessful, Sylvia helps and supports Truman through the TV screen. She goes as far as to call-in during a TV interview with Christof to speak her mind. Truman's father is also an Ally, choosing to sneak back onto set and meet his (fake) son.

The father

Christof has complete authority over Truman's life. Christof opposes Truman's innocent desire to travel and explore, leading him into a mundane life of repetitive office work. Christof uses his power to observe Truman 24/7.

The mother

Truman's acting mother is designed to keep him on the island for as long as possible. Truman's affection for his mother prevents him from travelling; we learn she became sick during his childhood and Truman was her caregiver. The mother bribes him to stay using baby picture books and nostalgia talk. She's a weaponised nurturer. 

The Child

Truman's view on the work is naïve and innocent. He's pure minded and unaware of his celebrity status to the outside world. On the threshold of both worlds, Truman has much growth and development to do.

The Maiden

Sylvia represents purity through her unwillingness to lie to Truman. Her short romance with Truman is honest. Sylvia also represents sexuality through her relationship with Truman.