The Rags to Riches Archetype

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 32 views

Unraveling the Plot Archetype in Carl Sandburg's Whimsical Tale

Carl Sandburg's "How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat" is a captivating narrative that has left readers wondering about its underlying plot archetype. This article aims to delve into the world of literary analysis and uncover the correct answer to this intriguing question.

Before we dive into the analysis, it's essential to understand what plot archetypes are. A plot archetype is a recurring pattern or structure found in stories across cultures and time. These archetypes serve as a blueprint for writers to create engaging narratives that resonate with audiences. Some common plot archetypes include comedy, tragedy, rags to riches, and the quest.

"How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat" is a whimsical tale that follows a group of animals as they embark on a journey from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat. The story is a series of absurd events, where the animals lose their tails and then regain them in a series of unexpected ways.

The Quest Archetype

Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the story employs the quest archetype. A quest is a plot archetype where the protagonist embarks on a journey to achieve a specific goal or retrieve something of great value. In this case, the animals are on a quest to regain their tails, which they have lost along the way.

The story follows a clear structure, where the animals face various challenges and obstacles as they journey from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat. They encounter a series of absurd events, including a train that runs on a track made of butter, a river that flows uphill, and a mountain that is made of cotton candy. These events serve as a series of trials that the animals must overcome in order to achieve their goal.

The Rags to Riches Archetype

At first glance, it may seem that the story employs the rags to riches archetype. After all, the animals do regain their tails, which could be seen as a form of wealth or prosperity. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the story is not about the animals achieving wealth or success, but rather about their journey and the absurd events that they encounter along the way.

The Comedy Archetype

While the story does have comedic elements, it is not a comedy in the classical sense. The story is not meant to be a humorous tale, but rather a whimsical and absurd narrative that explores the human condition.

The Tragedy Archetype

The story is not a tragedy, as there is no sense of loss or suffering that is central to the narrative. The animals do lose their tails, but this is not a tragic event, but rather a catalyst for the absurd events that follow.

In conclusion, the correct answer to the question is D. Quest. The story employs the quest archetype, where the animals embark on a journey to achieve a specific goal (regaining their tails). The story follows a clear structure, with the animals facing various challenges and obstacles as they journey from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat. While the story may have elements of comedy, rags to riches, and tragedy, the quest archetype is the most fitting description of the narrative.

Sandburg, C. (1922). How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.

Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Pantheon Books.
Frye, N. (1957). Anatomy of Criticism. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Propp, V. (1928). Morphology of the Folktale. Leningrad: Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
Q&A: Unraveling the Plot Archetype in Carl Sandburg's Whimsical Tale

In our previous article, we explored the plot archetype employed in Carl Sandburg's "How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat". We concluded that the story follows the quest archetype, where the animals embark on a journey to achieve a specific goal (regaining their tails). In this article, we'll delve deeper into the story and answer some frequently asked questions about the plot archetype.

A: The animals losing their tails serves as a catalyst for the absurd events that follow. It's a plot device that sets the story in motion and allows the animals to embark on their journey. The loss of their tails also serves as a metaphor for the fragility of life and the importance of perseverance.

A: The animals regain their tails as a result of their journey and the absurd events that they encounter along the way. The story suggests that the animals' tails are a symbol of their identity and their connection to their natural world. By regaining their tails, the animals are able to reconnect with their natural selves and find a sense of purpose.

A: The journey from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat serves as a metaphor for the animals' journey of self-discovery. The two cities represent opposite ends of the spectrum, with Philadelphia representing the East Coast and Medicine Hat representing the West Coast. The journey from one city to the other represents the animals' transition from one stage of life to another.

A: The story of "How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat" relates to the concept of the hero's journey, as described by Joseph Campbell. The story follows a clear structure, with the animals facing various challenges and obstacles as they journey from one city to another. The story also features a clear call to adventure, a series of trials and challenges, and a triumphant return.

A: The absurd events in the story serve as a commentary on the absurdity of life. The story suggests that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and that we must learn to adapt and persevere in the face of uncertainty. The absurd events also serve as a metaphor for the fragility of human existence and the importance of finding meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

A: The story of "How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat" employs the quest archetype, where the animals embark on a journey to achieve a specific goal (regaining their tails). The story follows a clear structure, with the animals facing various challenges and obstacles as they journey from one city to another. The story also features a clear call to adventure, a series of trials and challenges, and a triumphant return.

In conclusion, the plot archetype employed in Carl Sandburg's "How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat" is the quest archetype. The story follows a clear structure, with the animals facing various challenges and obstacles as they journey from one city to another. The story also features a clear call to adventure, a series of trials and challenges, and a triumphant return. We hope that this Q&A article has provided a deeper understanding of the plot archetype and its significance in the story.

Sandburg, C. (1922). How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.
Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New York: Pantheon Books.
Frye, N. (1957). Anatomy of Criticism. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Propp, V. (1928). Morphology of the Folktale. Leningrad: Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

For a deeper understanding of the quest archetype, we recommend reading Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
For a deeper understanding of the concept of the hero's journey, we recommend reading Christopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers.
For a deeper understanding of the concept of absurdity, we recommend reading Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus.