What is the definition of an everyman in the context of fictional characters?

An everyman is a stock character in fiction, representing an ordinary and humble individual. This character typically serves as the protagonist, whose relatable and benign conduct encourages the audience to identify with them.

How did Gary Cooper exemplify the everyman archetype in cinema?

Gary Cooper was presented as an idealized everyman during Hollywood's golden age. He notably portrayed such characters in films like the 1952 Western High Noon, where his role resonated with audiences as an ordinary person facing extraordinary circumstances.

In what historical literary context did the term everyman first appear in English?

The term everyman first appeared in English literature in an early 16th-century morality play titled The Summoning of Everyman. This play used the character to represent an ordinary human facing their mortality.

Describe the central character of the 16th-century morality play The Summoning of Everyman.

The protagonist of The Summoning of Everyman is an allegorical character representing an ordinary human who has received a summons to die. This character is the sole human figure in the play, with other characters embodying abstract concepts.

How did literature scholar Harry Keyishian characterize the protagonist of The Summoning of Everyman?

According to literature scholar Harry Keyishian, the everyman character in the play was portrayed as prosperous, gregarious, and attractive, highlighting that even seemingly successful individuals must confront their mortality.

What do the characters other than Everyman represent in The Summoning of Everyman?

In The Summoning of Everyman, the characters accompanying the protagonist are embodiments of abstract ideas. For instance, Fellowship symbolizes the transient and limited nature of human friendship.

When did the term everyman begin to be used more broadly to describe a typical person?

The use of the term everyman to generically refer to a portrayal of an ordinary or typical person dates back to the early 20th century.

Who introduced the term everywoman, and in relation to which work?

The term everywoman originated around the same period as the generic use of everyman. George Bernard Shaw used it to describe the character Ann Whitefield in his play Man and Superman.

What is the primary goal of portraying a character as an everyman in a narrative?

The primary narrative intent behind creating an everyman character is to ensure that most audience members can readily identify with them, making the story and its themes more accessible.

How does an everyman character's typical reaction to challenges differ from that of a heroic character?

While an everyman may face difficulties similar to a hero, their initial reactions tend to be different. Archetypal heroes often react swiftly and decisively through direct action, whereas an everyman typically avoids engagement or responds with ambivalence until the situation becomes dire enough to demand a strong reaction.

What are the two main ways an everyman character can be classified in terms of development?

An everyman character can be classified as either a round, dynamic character, showing complexity and development, especially if they are the protagonist. Alternatively, if they lack complexity and development, they might be considered a flat, static character, often serving in a secondary role.

How can an everyman character serve as a narrator, and what unique narrative possibilities does this offer?

An everyman can function as a narrator, particularly in written media, which allows for extensive explanations of past events, internal thoughts, and mental states. This narrative perspective can be subtle, with the narrator sometimes being overlooked by other characters or even the reader.

Can an everyman narrator interact directly with the audience, and is there a notable example?

Yes, a narrating everyman can address the audience directly. An example of this is the character Che in the musical Evita.

Who is Leopold Bloom, and what is his significance as an everyman character?

Leopold Bloom is the protagonist of James Joyce's novel Ulysses. He is cited as an example of an everyman character, representing an ordinary individual navigating the complexities of life.

Which novel, later adapted into a film, features an anonymous narrator identified as an everyman?

The novel Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk features an anonymous narrator who is considered an everyman character. This novel was also adapted into a successful film.

Identify the character from Billy Wilder's film The Apartment who is considered an everyman.

C.C. Baxter, the protagonist of Billy Wilder's 1960 film The Apartment, is presented as an everyman character.

From which popular animated franchise is the character Emmet Brickowski, an example of an everyman?

Emmet Brickowski, an everyman character, hails from The Lego Movie franchise.

Which iconic comic strip character is listed as an example of an everyman?

Charlie Brown, the beloved protagonist of Charles Schulz's Peanuts comic strip, is identified as an everyman character.

In the musical Evita, how is the character Che described in relation to the everyman archetype?

In Evita, the character Che is sometimes interpreted as an everyman figure, serving as a narrator who comments on the events and addresses the audience, rather than solely representing the historical figure Che Guevara.

What is the role of Christian in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress?

Christian is the central character in John Bunyan's 1678 book The Pilgrim's Progress. He undertakes a spiritual journey, embodying the struggles and experiences of an everyman seeking salvation.

Which character from Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is considered an everyman?

Arthur Dent, the bewildered human protagonist of Douglas Adams' novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is a prime example of an everyman character, constantly thrust into absurd and overwhelming situations.

Who is Will Kane, and what is his significance in the film High Noon?

Will Kane is the protagonist of Fred Zinnemann's 1952 Western film High Noon. He is portrayed as an everyman sheriff who must confront a gang of outlaws alone, embodying themes of duty and isolation.

Which character from J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts film series is recognized as an everyman?

Jacob Kowalski, a non-magical character in J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts film series, is presented as an everyman who gets caught up in the wizarding world.

Identify the character from the US television series The Office who is considered an everyman.

Jim Halpert, a main character in the American version of The Office, is cited as an example of an everyman, known for his relatable reactions and everyday struggles within the workplace.

Who is Winston Smith, and what is his significance in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four?

Winston Smith is the protagonist of George Orwell's 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. He represents an everyman figure rebelling against a totalitarian regime, whose internal struggles and eventual downfall highlight the oppressive nature of the state.

What role does Egbert Souse play in the 1940 film The Bank Dick?

Egbert Souse is the character portrayed by W.C. Fields in the 1940 film The Bank Dick. He is considered an everyman figure, often finding himself in absurd and chaotic situations.

Which prominent DC Comics character is listed as an example of an everyman?

James Gordon, a key character in DC Comics, particularly known for his role in Batman stories, is listed as an example of an everyman.

How does the concept of the Average Joe relate to the everyman archetype?

The Average Joe is a term that signifies a wholly average person, similar to the everyman archetype, emphasizing commonality and relatability.

What is the function of the term John Doe in relation to the everyman concept?

John Doe is a generic placeholder name used for an unidentified male, serving as a common representation of an everyman in legal and everyday contexts in English-speaking countries.

What does the term Kafkaesque describe concerning an everyman character?

The term Kafkaesque describes a situation where an everyman character is overwhelmed by vast, impersonal, and often illogical bureaucratic or social systems, leading to a sense of alienation and powerlessness.

What hypothetical individual does the concept of the man on the Clapham omnibus represent?

The concept of the man on the Clapham omnibus represents a hypothetical, ordinary person, often invoked to signify the perspective of a reasonable and typical individual in discussions.

What does Zé Povinho symbolize in Portuguese culture?

Zé Povinho is a Portuguese cartoon character who symbolizes the Portuguese everyman, often depicted as a common, downtrodden but resilient figure representing the collective spirit of the Portuguese people.

How is Gary Cooper's role in High Noon described in relation to the everyman archetype?

Gary Cooper's portrayal in the 1952 film High Noon is described as an idealized everyman during the golden age of Hollywood, where he served as the protagonist.

What narrative element does the Parable of the Good Samaritan share with the everyman archetype?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan features a character who can be seen as an everyman type, experiencing suffering and subsequently receiving compassion from the Samaritan figure.

Everyman Wiki: The Archetypal Everyman: A Study in Literary Representation

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Concept

Defining the Archetype

The everyman is a foundational stock character in narrative arts, representing an ordinary, humble individual. This archetype is intentionally crafted to foster audience identification through relatable conduct. While often facing challenges akin to those encountered by heroic figures, the everyman typically exhibits an initial tendency towards avoidance or ambivalence before being compelled by escalating circumstances to react decisively.

Actor Gary Cooper exemplified the idealized everyman during Hollywood's golden age, notably in films like 1952's High Noon.

Narrative Function

The everyman serves as a crucial narrative device, allowing audiences to project themselves into the story. This character's journey often highlights universal human experiences, struggles, and moral dilemmas. Whether portrayed as a dynamic character demonstrating growth or a static one, the everyman provides a grounded perspective, making extraordinary events or profound themes more accessible and resonant.

Origin and History

Medieval Roots

The term "everyman" gained prominence with the early 16th-century English morality play, The Summoning of Everyman. In this allegorical work, the protagonist, Everyman, represents a typical human facing the final reckoning. Literature scholar Harry Keyishian describes him as "prosperous, gregarious, [and] attractive." Everyman is the sole human character, surrounded by personified concepts like Fellowship, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of human companionship.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan features an everyman-type character who suffers but receives compassion at the hands of the Samaritan.

Modern Usage

The generic application of "everyman" to signify a typical person emerged in the early 20th century. Concurrently, the term "everywoman" appeared, notably used by George Bernard Shaw to characterize Ann Whitefield in his play Man and Superman. This linguistic evolution reflects a growing awareness and categorization of archetypal human representations across various cultural contexts.

Narrative Uses

Audience Identification

The primary function of an everyman character is to facilitate audience identification. By presenting an ordinary individual, writers ensure that the audience can readily connect with the character's experiences, motivations, and reactions. This connection is vital for drawing the audience into the narrative's emotional and thematic core.

Character Dynamics

An everyman character can be portrayed with complexity and development, evolving through the narrative—a "round" or dynamic character. Alternatively, they might remain relatively unchanged, serving a more static, representative function, often as a secondary character. The narrative medium, particularly literature, allows for extensive internal monologue and exposition, enabling deep exploration of an everyman narrator's thoughts and experiences.

Examples

Notable Portrayals

The everyman archetype manifests across a wide spectrum of media, embodying the ordinary individual in diverse contexts:

Literature: Leopold Bloom in James Joyce's Ulysses, Winston Smith in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Arthur Dent in Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Christian in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress.
Film: C.C. "Bud" Baxter in Billy Wilder's The Apartment, Will Kane in Fred Zinnemann's High Noon, Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts films.
Television: Jim Halpert in The Office, Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother, Homer Simpson in The Simpsons, George Jetson in The Jetsons, Philip J. Fry in Futurama, Stan Marsh in South Park.
Comics: Charlie Brown in Charles Schulz's Peanuts, James Gordon in DC Comics.
Theatre: Che in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical Evita (portrayed as an everyman observer rather than Che Guevara).
Animation: Emmet Brickowski in The Lego Movie, Fred Flintstone in The Flintstones.

Related Concepts

Associated Archetypes and Terms

The everyman archetype shares conceptual space with numerous related character types and literary terms, highlighting variations on the theme of the ordinary individual:

Average Joe / Joe Bloggs: Generic terms for the typical, unremarkable person.
Commoner: An individual not belonging to nobility, royalty, or clergy.
Folk Hero: A character embodying the values and struggles of a community.
Noble Savage: A philosophical concept of a person living in a natural state, uncorrupted by society.
Reasonable Person: A legal construct used to establish standards of behavior.
Straight Man: A character in comedy who reacts plainly to the antics of a more eccentric character.
T.C. Mits: An acronym for "The Celebrated Man in the Street," another term for the average person.
Zè Povinho: A Portuguese symbol representing the common man.
Protagonist: The central character, often an everyman, whose journey drives the narrative.
Stock Character: A recognizable, recurring character type.
Archetype: A universal, symbolic character pattern.

Sources

Reference Materials

This content is derived from publicly available information, primarily the Wikipedia article on "Everyman."

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The Archetypal Everyman

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Concept 👤

🎭 Defining the Archetype

💡 Narrative Function

Origin and History 📜

⏳ Medieval Roots

🕰️ Modern Usage

Narrative Uses ✍️

👥 Audience Identification

🔄 Character Dynamics

Examples 🎬

🌟 Notable Portrayals

Related Concepts 🔗

🗂️ Associated Archetypes and Terms

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📄 Reference Materials

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Concept

Defining the Archetype

Narrative Function

Origin and History

Medieval Roots

Modern Usage

Narrative Uses

Audience Identification

Character Dynamics

Examples

Notable Portrayals

Related Concepts

Associated Archetypes and Terms

Sources

Reference Materials

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice