Influence of Myth inThe Centaur

Abstract

Archetypes are often expressedin myths, dreams and literary works. In John Updike's The Centaur,various archetypes are expressed with the use of mythical themes characters in the disguise of human form. Myth plays vital role in the novel. Most of the characters including protagonistGeorge Caldwell are lecherous. The instinctual behavior of the characters demonstrate the underlying desire of human sexuality in the novel. The archetypal personage Caldwell, Chiron struggles in this corrupt world involving in different fields of the society for the sake of respectable position and identity in the society. In contrast, he is indifferent and unpopular. Updike presents Caldwell not only as Chiron, the Centaur, but also as Christ figure and Olinger High is not only Olympus but also Bethlehem.He also discusses the origin of earth and the existence of another world heaven to present his religious and mythical vision in the novel.