What kinds of stories do you like best? Would you rather read about a hero’s journey . . . or the exploits of a trickster, such as a class clown, or someone who is really good at pulling pranks?

Neither kind of story is difficult to find. In fact, there are thousands and thousands of folk tales, plays, novels, and short stories featuring these kinds of characters.

Both the hero and the trickster are popular figures in literature of all ages and eras, from ancient tales passed down by word of mouth to contemporary fiction published in the last ten years.

Why do these characters keep showing up again and again? Both are literary archetypes―story elements that have been repeated since humans first began to gather and share stories.

The same archetypes appear in stories all over the world―not just in one particular culture. That’s because the stories we tell represent our understanding of what it means to be human. No matter where you live or when you were born, some aspects of human experience are the same. In growing up and growing old, there is pain and uncertainty, but also joy and contentment. There are struggles that end in triumph and struggles that end in tragedy.

Likewise, humans everywhere and in every historical age have known heroes. They have, themselves, longed to go on quests and to accomplish great things.

It’s also very human to want to get the better of someone else. Most of us enjoy playing tricks or arranging pranks and watching the chaos that follows, even if it means getting in a little bit of trouble.

It is an archetype’s connection to shared human experience that makes it a powerful tool for storytellers and authors. When writers include archetypes in their stories, they tap into feelings that readers have about themselves and their own lives, and also their wishes, hopes, and fears. All of these ideas get brought into the story.

A story’s audience doesn’t necessarily think about the archetypes in a story, but it is certainly affected by them. The audience uses their knowledge of archetypes to predict what will happen in the story and how the main characters will be affected by the plot. If a character wants to be a hero, for instance, we can expect that she will go on a quest at some point in the story.

The use of archetypes can also make a story’s events and ideas seem more important. If you feel that a story is also about you and your experience of the world, you’re more likely to pay attention and to care about what happens to the story’s characters.

The next time you read a book by your favorite author―or watch your favorite movie, ask yourself why you’re so drawn to the story. Could it be the power of archetypes pulling you in?