نقد کهن الگویی فیلم سینماییِ «مورد عجیب بنجامین باتن»

فیلم سینمایی آمریکایی «مورد عجیب بنجامین باتن» در سال 2008 براساس یک داستان کوتاه اثر اف. اسکات فیتزجرالد ساخته شد. بنجامین، شخصیت اصلی داستان در هشتاد سالگی به شکل یک پیرنوزاد به دنیا می آید. مادرش هنگام زادن او می میرد و پدرش، نوزاد زشت روی خود را در خیابان رها می کند. زن نیکوکاری در یک آسایشگاه سالمندان، او را به فرزندی می پذیرد و بزرگ می کند. بنجامین روز به روز جوان تر می شود و از پیری به جوانی و کودکی سیر می کند. این داستان، مصداق بارز آفرینش یک اسطورۀ جدید و همچنین سرشار از مفاهیم اساطیری و کهن الگویی است که به شکل هنرمندانه ای به تصویر کشیده شده اند. این مقاله بر آن است تا با رویکردی توصیفی-تحیلی این موارد را بررسی و دربارۀ آن ها بحث نماید. مواردی چون: آفرینش اسطورۀ جدید، عشق، نام شناسی داستان، تولد شگفت قهرمان، کودک رها شده، بازگشت پدر به سوی کودک رها شده، چهرۀ چندگانۀ آنیما، تقدیرگرایی، نادیده گرفتن ممنوعیت توسط قهرمان، آب، چرخۀ بی پایان مرگ و زندگی، بازگشت به کودکی، سفر پرماجرای قهرمان، طوفان و سیل، اعداد کهن الگویی و غیره. بدین سان، مطالعه کنونی می کوشد تا با تلفیق مشاهده هنری و تحلیل نظری به پرسش بنیادین پژوهش حاضر پاسخ دهد. پرسشی که می گوید فیلم «مورد عجیب بنجامین باتن» چگونه با بهره‌گیری از مفاهیم اساطیری و کهن‌الگویی، توانسته است اسطوره‌ای نوین از تولد، مرگ و بازگشت به کودکی بیافریند و چه نسبتی میان این اسطوره‌پردازی و تجربه‌ انسانیِ زمان، عشق و تقدیر وجود دارد؟

critique of the archetypal approach in the film the curious case of benjamin button

1.      introductionarchetypal or mythological criticism is one of the important and popular approaches in literary criticism, with a history of approximately one century. jung believes that beneath the layer of the human subconscious lies another layer called the collective unconscious, which is a repository of human knowledge and experiences from the beginning of creation to the present, transmitted from generation to generation. according to him, the collective unconscious contains elements that shape myths. myths are composed of archetypal elements. in mythological literary criticism, based on jung's teachings and findings, the text is examined in terms of the presence, either explicit or implicit, of ancient myths, their transformation, or the creation of new myths by a creative author or poet. the story of the american film the curious case of benjamin button is as follows: benjamin, the main character, is born as an elderly infant at the age of eighty. at the same time as his remarkable birth, his mother dies. benjamin grows younger year by year, progressing from old age to youth and childhood, and eventually dies. this paper aims to analyze this film from the perspective of archetypal criticism, identifying and examining its significant archetypes. the main question of this study is: what types of archetypes has the director used to advance the story, and what was his artistic purpose? 2.      research methodthe article employs a descriptive-analytical method, with careful attention to subtle and recurring elements in the film, and examines it based on the principles of jungian or archetypal criticism. 3.       discussionin mythological criticism, it is often discussed whether a skilled and creative author can create new myths. this story is precisely a contemporary myth. the symbolic aspect of the characters' names is also noteworthy. benjamin is the name of the youngest, kindest son of jacob (peace be upon him). benjamin in this film, in some respects, evokes the story of the biblical benjamin, particularly the death of his mother after his birth. moreover, the premature aging of zal in the shahnameh and benjamin in this story are central themes and bear similarities. the archetype of the abandoned child is also a recurring motif in world literature. the story begins with the scene of this elderly child being abandoned. the ideal of returning to childhood is truly realized in this film, as the main character moves from old age to childhood and rebirth. typically, a father who abandons his child eventually regrets it and seeks out his child, and benjamin's father does the same. one of jung's key concepts is the anima, or the feminine aspect of a man's psyche. in this film, we see daisy playing four roles, each of which is crucial. the mythological theme of ignoring prohibitions, taking risks, and facing unexpected events occurs repeatedly. the contrasts between life and death, youth and old age, turkey and hummingbird, separation and reunion, sorrow and joy, etc., also play a major role. the hero often embarks on a long journey, frequently a maritime one, encountering various challenges, and eventually attains maturity, perfection, selfhood, and wisdom. 4.       conclusionthe curious case of benjamin button is highly noteworthy in terms of its archetypal themes. the first and most important archetypal aspect of the film is that it is a clear example of the creation of a new myth. important and recurring archetypes are present meaningfully throughout the story, including love, the hero's extraordinary birth, two abandoned children, the father's return to his abandoned child, the multi-faceted anima, the significance of destiny and fatalism, the hero's disregard of prohibitions and taking risks, experiencing diverse adventures, and achieving maturity and selfhood.