Who Framed Roger Rabbit? - Archetypes within The Heroes Journ

Who Framed Roger Rabbit, released in 1988 is a live action/animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film follows Eddie Valient, a private detective who must clear the name of Toon star Roger Rabbit after being framed for a murder, the film is set in a 1940s Hollywood were cartoons and people live together. The film contains many commonly used character archetypes, which are part of the hero’s journey,

The hero is the main character and protagonist of the story, the events are usually followed through their eyes. We see the hero grow experience through the events of the film and their journey. The hero is driven by a main goal that forces them to leave their ‘ordinary world’ and return to restore balance. The hero of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ is Eddie Valient, he is the character we view the events of the story through. Eddie grows from working alongside toons and get over his bias, regain his sense of humour and learns to love toons again, after the events of the film. He is separated from his ordinary world, being Los Angeles and is forced to be wrapped up in the case with Roger Rabbit and visit Toontown, he returns and restores balance with himself getting closure on his brother’s death, when the case is solved and Judge Doom is defeated.

The Herald is the spark that starts the journey the, they announce the ‘call to adventure’. This is R.K. Maroon in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ he is the one that hires Eddie to investigate the rumoured affair of Roger Rabbits wife, Jessica Rabbit and businessman Marvin Acme.

The Mentor gives the hero motivation, guidance and knowledge through their journey, in the case of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ this role is filled by Jessica Rabbit. She helps Eddie along the way and leads him into Toontown and reveals to him the truth about Judge Doom and info on the will. 

The Threshold Guardian tests the hero at the ‘threshold of leaving’ his world. The hero must outwit the guardian in order to proceed. For, ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ this is Bongo the Gorilla, the bouncer of the Ink and Paint club. He stops Eddie at the threshold of his adventure. He is the threshold between Eddie and his first encounter with toons in his case. He is outsmarted when Valient states the password to the club, ‘Walt sent me’.

The Shapeshifer hides their true intentions and loyalties, they give the hero doubt along the way, they can transform into a hero once their loyalties are revealed. This again goes to Jessica Rabbit, throughout the film her loyalties go back and forth and It is unclear on what here intentions are. She is made out to look bad when she knocks out Roger, however it is all revealed her intentions were good by the end of the film.

The shadow is often the villain representing, darkness, fears, desires and phobias. This for ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ is Judge Doom, he represents pure evil in the film and acts as the main antagonist, setting up Roger in an attempt to get hold of the will and ownership of Toontown and destroy it. Another archetype is the Trickster, they are there to make mischief and meddle, often clown characters that torment the hero. This is Roger Rabbit himself in the film as he, although has the right intention, is a goofy toon who cannot help but mess around and cause trouble wherever he goes.

Allies are a collection of characters which become one archetype. They advise the hero through the journey, this goes to Benny the Cab, who is the main transportation and get away car, Dolores, Eddies girlfriend, and also Baby Herman who gives information and states Rogers innocence. Along with this there is The Father, a role which represents authority and power, they are often judgmental and serious minded, even though it doesn’t entirely fit, the role Is filled best by Marvin Acme. He holds a level of authority over Eddie as he’s the one that hired him in the first place. The Mother is seen to nurture and care, although Eddie’s love intrest, Dolores best fits this role as she cares for and helps Eddie on his journey.

The Child represents innocence and has a childlike view of the world, this fits perfectly with Roger Rabbit. He is clueless and holds a toon covered lens of the world, even though he is framed we know he is innocent. The final archetype is the maiden, which yet again goes to Jessica Rabbit. The maiden represents sexuality and purity, with the potential to transition to a different form of female archetype.