Film Review - Archetypes in Back to the Future

Revisiting this film, it has been recognised that 2 stories take place in the movie, through Marty it's his job while in 1955 to make sure his parents meet and fall in love all the while trying to get back to his own future. For George (Marty's dad) he has to overcome his fear of Biff to be with Lorraine (Marty's mom) .

The Hero

Marty Mcfly

When he travels back to 1955, he interrupts the moment his mother and father met and instead ends up in his dads place and having his Mom have a crush on him, putting him en route to not existing. He also has to get back to his present time so while he works on getting his parents together he has to also convince 1955 Doc to help him get back. He falls in the role of hero for saving his parents future and the Doc's while he is in 1955.

George Mcfly (1955)

Since Marty travelled back to 1955, he fell in Georges place before meeting Lorraine and she ended up falling for Marty instead of George, he becomes the hero when he overcomes his fears of Biff and saves Loraine.

The Herald

Doc Brown 1955

1955 Doc sets the adventure for Marty to help him get back to 1985, he advises him to make sure his parents meet and at least kiss so Marty doesn't disappear.

The Mentor

Doc also falls under the mentor roll as he provides Marty the information on how he can return back to 1985.

For George, Marty motivates him to ask Lorraine out even when he disagrees to, Marty approaches George at night dressed up as an 'alien' to motivate his courage.

Threshold Guardian

DeLorean

The DeLorean acts as a Threshold Guardian for Marty as it keeps him from returning to his world, he has to work with 1955 Doc in order to return properly.

 

The Shapeshifter

Doc Brown 1955

In the early stages of the movie when Marty finally approaches Doc about being from the future and how he must return using Plutonium, Doc quite literally tells Marty to get used to living in the year as there is no way he can return, but as soon as he discovers from Marty that Lighting strikes the clock tower he conducts a plan and assures Marty he is able to return.

George Mcfly

When Marty is trying to get George and Lorraine together, George isn't confident in what Marty's guidance, it isn't until Biff brings harm to Lorraine that he overcomes theses worries and becomes the Hero of his own story.

The Shadow & The Trickster

Biff 1955

For both George and Marty, Biff remains as the shadow, he's the chaotic side of the psyche. He mistreats Lorraine, belittles George and almost kills Marty.

Biff also falls under The Trickster as he tries to prevent Marty from helping George and also makes fun of George a lot of the time.

Allies

For Marty, his ally is Doc who assists him in his task of returning back to the future. It can also be considered that Marty's girlfriend, Jennifer is also an ally of Marty as she encourages him not to give up on his dream of making music. 

For George, Marty accompanies him in encouraging him to ask out Lorraine and protects him from Biff.

The Father

(Left) Post-TimeTravel 1985 George McFLy - (Right) Pre-Time Travel 1985 George McFLy

Pre-time travel, George is the underling of Biff, his marriage is unfulfilled and he's very dismissive. When Marty aids him, Post-Time travel George is a Book author, Biff works for him, and his marriage and family life is good.

The Mother

Lorraine Mcfly Post-Time Travel 1955

Marty's mother pre-time travel is an alcoholic who is still in reminiscence of when her and George first met, she's also not fond of Jennifer and encourages Marty not to be with her. When Marty returns from 1955 she no longer drinks alcohol and is fond of Jennifer, encouraging Marty to take her out.

The Child

Jennifer

Jennifer is quite unaware of Marty's adventure throughout the movie but at the beginning of the movie she had an innocent and hopeful view on things when Marty's audition didn't go well.

The Maiden

Jennifer acts as a motivator for Marty while he is stuck in 1955, while he is trying to convince Doc to help him return he mentions that 'he has a girl' referring to Jennifer, showing care and worry for leaving her.

1955 Lorraine

For George (and potentially Marty), Lorraine is the Maiden as George rescues her from Biff when he harasses her, she becomes Georges motivator to overpower Biff.