THE SHADOW ARCHETYPE IN LUKE CASTELLAN’S CHARACTER IN RICK RIORDAN’S PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS
Keywords:
Shadow archetype; Jungian psychology; Luke Castellan; father-son conflict; character development;Abstract
Literary studies frequently employ archetypal criticism to uncover universal psychological patterns embedded within fictional characters, particularly in understanding moral conflict and identity formation. Although Carl Gustav Jung’s shadow archetype has been widely applied in literary analysis, studies focusing on its manifestation in modern fantasy characters, especially antagonists shaped by paternal conflict, remain limited. This study aims to analyze the representation of the shadow archetype in Luke Castellan’s character in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, with particular attention to how disappointment and emotional neglect from his father figure contribute to his psychological transformation. Employing a qualitative descriptive method, this research utilizes close reading and thematic analysis supported by Jungian analytical psychology. Data are drawn from narrative descriptions, dialogues, and character actions that reveal Luke’s suppressed emotions, resentment, and destructive behavior. The findings indicate that Luke Castellan embodies the shadow archetype through unresolved anger, rebellion against authority, and moral ambiguity rooted in paternal abandonment. His transformation from a trusted mentor to an antagonist illustrates how unintegrated shadow elements, intensified by father-son conflict, lead to self-destruction rather than psychological wholeness. This study concludes that Luke’s character represents a symbolic portrayal of the dangers of repressed emotional wounds and failed parental relationships, highlighting the relevance of Jung’s shadow archetype in interpreting contemporary fantasy literature and its reflection of real social and psychological issues
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