The Natural draws on classical sources, including Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, to weave a story imbued throughout with archetypes and conventions of classical storytelling. The story centers on Roy Hobbs, "The Natural," who fits the classical archetype of the tragic hero through his engagement in a quest (making a comeback in professional baseball), use of a "magical" or lucky "weapon" (Wonderboy, his baseball bat, an analog of King Arthur's Excalibur), and his encounters with...
The Natural draws on classical sources, including Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, to weave a story imbued throughout with archetypes and conventions of classical storytelling. The story centers on Roy Hobbs, "The Natural," who fits the classical archetype of the tragic hero through his engagement in a quest (making a comeback in professional baseball), use of a "magical" or lucky "weapon" (Wonderboy, his baseball bat, an analog of King Arthur's Excalibur), and his encounters with other archetypes during his movement through the stages of his personal hero's journey. It is notable that Hobbs experiences an unhealable wound, a classic situational archetype often representing a loss of innocence.
What particular archetypes the characters align with is open to interpretation, though some are less arguable than others. Pop Fisher, Hobbs' manager, is a prime example of the mentor archetype, giving knowledge and skills to the hero. Hobbs' baseball team, the Knights, represent the archetype of the companions, a loyal group to which the hero often belongs, devoted to one another and to their quest. More ambiguously, Sands the bookie could be seen as fulfilling the Temptress archetype, ultimately seducing Hobbs and bringing about his moral downfall; he could also be viewed as the villain, or the shadow self. An argument could also be made that Max Mercy or Harriet Bird is the true villain of the story.
For more information about and examples of archetypes, see the reference link.
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