Internal and External Wars“Bastogne” contains an abundance of archetypes and symbols, as well as Jung's theory of the Shadow. All of these are used to compare the external warfare of the Battle of the Bulge with protagonist Eugene Roe's internal struggles with emotional distance and personal belonging in Easy Company. The Forest Archetype, just like the Shadow of the Mind, represents the unknown. It is a place of hidden dangers and dangers, where one must undergo tests and initiations. To cross this threshold symbol is to enter the realm of death, where there is no light or insight, allowing humanity to become lost in the darkness without divine direction. This correlates with the ever-present threat of German attacks looming over Easy Company's troops as they attempt to secure Bastogne, in addition to the limitations they already face with shortages of artillery and equipment. The physical setting also relates to Jung's Shadow theory, as the war itself forces both American and German soldiers to confront the harsh reality of death. In traveling into the depths of the battlefield, soldiers simultaneously travel into the violent and animalistic instincts of their minds. While some, like Buck Compton, struggle to maintain a sense of Self, it is by emerging from these battles that rebirth and renewal are achieved, as spring following harsh winter implies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To emphasize this process as it occurs within Eugene and the other members of Easy Company, several effective symbols are also used. The weapons, tanks and dive bombers represent monsters, orcs, dragons and cyclops. These are the unpleasant and often repressed things that lurk in The Shadow. Instead, the chocolate shared between Renee, Eugene, and the rest of Easy Company is a show of companionship, symbolizing the presence of joy and camaraderie even during the darkest moments. Hands are another very significant symbol in “Bastogne” as Eugene compares Renee to his grandmother as they use their hands to heal in similar ways. While Renee only sees evidence of inexperience through her bloody fingers, Eugene sees great faith and sacrifice in the service Renee provided to the sick and injured. This marks the beginning of Renee's influence on Eugene and how she helps him rediscover his sense of purpose as a member of Easy Company. Renée's handkerchief also proves immensely symbolic at the end of “Bastogne.” Aside from the association of its color, blue, with the Virgin Mary, Eugene's decision to use it as a bandage, rather than keeping it as a memento, represents his restored determination to carry on his role as a doctor. Although Renee is no longer physically with Eugene, her spirit is preserved in her desire to immerse herself in her place as part of Easy Company, thus motivating Eugene to let go of his emotional reserves. The characters mentioned above, Renee and Eugene, are powerful representations of Jungian archetypes as well. Renee, the Christ-like antagonist, is the sidekick to Eugene's hero figure. Though pure and beautiful, her purpose as an archetype is not achieved through romance, but through her help to Eugene. Fighting an internal battle of her own, Renee struggles to juggle her Ego and the Shadow. This is demonstrated through his internalized debate about whether he should help others or his concern towards Eugene. Likewise, as an army medic and hero figure, Eugene's greatest struggle is dealing with all the devastation and loss that.
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