My favorite innocent was Chauncey the Gardener, in an old film, Being There. He is literally a gardener, but his words (taken wrongly by everyone) become like beams of light. All double entendre to the listener, but to poor Chauncey, he's merely speaking. It was a classic and Peter Sellers. In more modern day films, it would be a Forrest Gump character (much less to my liking). The Sellers role was top drawer and he truly was 'the innocent.'
Great choice! This is one of my very favorite movies. I think about it a lot, especially as life since 2016 seems to imitate it (albeit in a much darker way).
Welcome back, Priya! I have a lot of this archetype in me, which has often been a source of embarrassment and even shame. Even now, approaching elderhood, I still feel innocent. Not at all to compare myself, but the Dalai Lama strikes me as embodying some of that energy. (PS - I owe you an essay! Long story, but it’s still on my mind. Will email.) 🫠
Julie, I had this archetype running (solo and unchecked) in my life for the longest time and I resonate with the feelings of embarrassment and shame. I think it can lead to the other extreme, cynicism, and it’s something I have to be continually vigilant about. It shows up as the critical voice that judges my writing.
Hi Priya. I really enjoyed this post! Thank you. In particular, I appreciate your choice of references to Jungian writers and ideas. This piece prompted a memory I'll share with you, in case it resonates. Recently, I read that having hope is more difficult than being an optimist. That's because optimism is a cognitive bias (perhaps the archetype of the innocent alive and well?), yet hope requires us to face what's troubling. To be hopeful, we must generate a feeling of agency and the belief that things can and will improve. It's a call to action. There is nothing Polyanna about hope.
Robin, thank you for sharing! In one of Pearson’s books- I’ve come across two, The Hero Within and Awakening The Hero Within- she talks in detail about the Innocent’s journey. The Innocent’s optimism may be naive or unfounded but the journey is not from optimism to a pessimism that is often confused with being realistic. I think the journey is towards hope. You are right, there is nothing Polyanna about hope!!
It's so good to read your writing and musings again! I understand the cyclical nature of writing and sharing one's word. We should listen to what our bodies need from us to nurture our creativity. I also completely stopped for a few months and just focused on the day to day. It's that kind of season, for slowing down.
Firstly, I really liked your bit at the start about creativity as a cycle. And I like that you allowed yourself time to let that cycle so it’s thing. I feel I’m going through a bit of a slowing down part in my own writing and I didn’t want to acknowledge it, but reading your words helped.
And secondly, the idea of the innocent archetype is one I find really interesting and it instantly made me think of when I first got into skateboarding and how fresh and new it was. I didn’t know the names of the tricks, I didn’t know anything about the culture, it was all so pure and completely about play — I loved that time. :)
My favorite innocent was Chauncey the Gardener, in an old film, Being There. He is literally a gardener, but his words (taken wrongly by everyone) become like beams of light. All double entendre to the listener, but to poor Chauncey, he's merely speaking. It was a classic and Peter Sellers. In more modern day films, it would be a Forrest Gump character (much less to my liking). The Sellers role was top drawer and he truly was 'the innocent.'
Jeanine, I haven’t seen the movie! Thanks for the recommendation. I haven’t watched Peter Sellers in a long time.
Great choice! This is one of my very favorite movies. I think about it a lot, especially as life since 2016 seems to imitate it (albeit in a much darker way).
It’s really an old one too. Sellers was phenomenal, as he always was.
Welcome back, Priya! I have a lot of this archetype in me, which has often been a source of embarrassment and even shame. Even now, approaching elderhood, I still feel innocent. Not at all to compare myself, but the Dalai Lama strikes me as embodying some of that energy. (PS - I owe you an essay! Long story, but it’s still on my mind. Will email.) 🫠
Julie, I had this archetype running (solo and unchecked) in my life for the longest time and I resonate with the feelings of embarrassment and shame. I think it can lead to the other extreme, cynicism, and it’s something I have to be continually vigilant about. It shows up as the critical voice that judges my writing.
Hi Priya. I really enjoyed this post! Thank you. In particular, I appreciate your choice of references to Jungian writers and ideas. This piece prompted a memory I'll share with you, in case it resonates. Recently, I read that having hope is more difficult than being an optimist. That's because optimism is a cognitive bias (perhaps the archetype of the innocent alive and well?), yet hope requires us to face what's troubling. To be hopeful, we must generate a feeling of agency and the belief that things can and will improve. It's a call to action. There is nothing Polyanna about hope.
Robin, thank you for sharing! In one of Pearson’s books- I’ve come across two, The Hero Within and Awakening The Hero Within- she talks in detail about the Innocent’s journey. The Innocent’s optimism may be naive or unfounded but the journey is not from optimism to a pessimism that is often confused with being realistic. I think the journey is towards hope. You are right, there is nothing Polyanna about hope!!
I'm so glad that statement speaks to you. Thanks for your references to Pearson, Priya, and for opening such a relevant and important discussion.
It’s lovely to be reading you again, Priya :)
Thank you, Richa! Wishing you a wonderful 2025!
It's so good to read your writing and musings again! I understand the cyclical nature of writing and sharing one's word. We should listen to what our bodies need from us to nurture our creativity. I also completely stopped for a few months and just focused on the day to day. It's that kind of season, for slowing down.
I think listening to ourselves is so important. Thank you, Nadia!
Glad your back, Priya.
Firstly, I really liked your bit at the start about creativity as a cycle. And I like that you allowed yourself time to let that cycle so it’s thing. I feel I’m going through a bit of a slowing down part in my own writing and I didn’t want to acknowledge it, but reading your words helped.
And secondly, the idea of the innocent archetype is one I find really interesting and it instantly made me think of when I first got into skateboarding and how fresh and new it was. I didn’t know the names of the tricks, I didn’t know anything about the culture, it was all so pure and completely about play — I loved that time. :)
It was all so pure- got in that one line! Thanks, Michael!