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Benjamin Elam
Dr. Nelson
ENGL 212 – 1
11/10/2017
Symbols of Love: An Exploration of Archetypal Significance in Anne Tyler’s Average Waves in
Unprotected Waters
Upon reading Anne Tyler’s short story Average Waves in Unprotected Waters, readers
could feasibly lead themselves to believe that Bet forfeits care of her son Arnold due to her own
unwillingness to work hard in caring for him. No matter the circumstances considered, it
remains difficult to justify a mother giving her child up to a home when looking from an
outsider’s perspective. Tougher, even, is the consideration that such a mother could be praised
or considered to be a hero for such an action. Bet’s story, however, can be realized as one of
heroism and determination to provide for her child. Being a single mother of a child with a
developmental disability is undoubtedly challenging, especially in circumstances such as Bet’s.
She expresses her love for Arnold in various ways throughout the text, through verbal
proclamation as well as through actions and emotions Bet’s resolve to do what she knows is
best for him, regardless of her emotional attachment to being his direct caregiver, speaks
volumes about the care that she has for him. This theme is supported through the use of
archetypes throughout the story. Joseph Campbell writes in The Power of Myth, “if you have a
mythology in which the metaphor for the mystery is the father, you are going to have a
different set of signals from what you would have if the metaphor for the wisdom and mystery
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of the world were the mother,” (Campbell 8). This is an excellent introductory example to
archetypal use and how it can be crucial in storytelling. A thorough analysis of the text reveals
that Bet’s story follows a monomythic hero quest cycle through an atypical story of heroism
and bravery in caring for her son Arnold, which is brought to life with the use of archetypes.
Throughout the Several elements of the Ideal Quest are present in the first quadrant
upon inspection, with the Hero’s Journey beginning almost immediately after the start of the
narrative. The Opening Situation presents us with Bet and Arnold beginning their morning in
what seems to be typical fashion. However, on this day Bet is preparing to take her son to the
Parksville State Hospital which will serve as his new home as caring for him has proven too
difficult for her. It is here that we find the main quest. The Opening Situation also provides us
