The Breakfast Club: Archetypes and Subcultures - Image Analysis
The Breakfast Club (1985) is based in a small-town high school; five students from different cliques/subcultures come together for a Saturday morning detention. Each character from the image above represents an archetype. To begin this image analysis, what is an archetype? An archetype is a "typical example of a certain person or thing." The difference between an archetype and a stereotype is that an archetype is a symbol that represents a ubiquitous pattern in human behaviour.
In contrast, a stereotype is a character with specified character traits. Essentially stereotypes stem from archetypes. Reinforcing the underlying themes of archetypes and subcultures, the movie begins with a letter written by Brian describing each character's archetypes "you see us as you want to see us.... you see us as a brain, an athlete, a basketcase, a princess, and a criminal".
Focusing on Claire and Allison (the female leads), the contrast between these characters couldn't be any more indiscreet. The positioning and clothing of the characters in the movie poster have a significant role in the perception of the archetype; Claire (princess), John (criminal), Brian (brain), Allison (basketcase), Andrew (athlete). The way each character holds themselves reflects a narrative towards the subculture they each represent. Body language plays a prominent role in identity within a subculture. As seen in the above image, Claire is lying across the floor, resting her head on her hand. As she is labelled a princess by others, she embodies this role. The representation of her pink top symbolises femininity, prettiness, sensitivity and delicateness. These are common perceived traits from a "princess". However, Claire's burgundy skirt represents passion, ambition, and aggression. Burgundy often evokes emotions of warmth and comfort to hostility and perhaps anger. The contrast of the pink and burgundy are indicative of her personality; that being immature and naive (also characteristics of being a "princess"), but she often tries to behave 'cool' and mature. Although Claire bonded with the other members in detention, it is established that she wouldn't acknowledge them in school due to her social positioning and popularity.
Labelled as a basket case, Allison is the result of neglect from her family. Dressed head-to-toe in black, she is perceived as a mystery and an outcast. As seen in the movie poster, Allison is, what seems to be, positioned in a small ball. Holding her hands close to her chest, Allison embodies the basketcase, standoff-ish, outcast behaviour. With Allison's hair covering her face, the contrast is significant compared to Claire, who is poised across the floor with her hair swept back so that all of her face is revealed. However, Allison has a significant transformation from the beginning and end of The Breakfast Club. At the end of the movie, Claire gives Allison a make-over, and she is shown dressed entirely in white. Contrasting from black, white symbolises purity and innocence. An interesting factor in Allison's transformation is her bond with Andrew.
Similarly to Claire, Andrew is popular in school. Known as a jock, he feels pressure to meet everyone's expectations. Allison and Andrew 'hit it off' during detention, but Allison must change her appearance to prove her attractiveness; this represents Allison and Andrew's archetypes. Andrew will only be seen with someone attractive as he is afraid of public and social rejection from the other athletes. In contrast, Allison seeks attention from whomever she can receive it.
Claire and Allison are complete opposites at the beginning of the film. However, towards the end, a friendship is built. Although Allison under-goes a transition from basket case to beauty, will Claire continue to acknowledge Allison once detention is over? The question is remains, will anything change between these students? Will these five teenagers remain friends throughout high school? In hindsight, they will not remain friends. The nature of subcultures is to stay with like-minded individuals. High school, especially in the 1980s, is known for students forming cliques; evidently, it is probable that Claire and Allison will not remain friends.














