Holes

ouis Sachar

The book is Holes by Louis Sachar which won the Newbury Medal for Children’s Literature in 1998. The two main characters, Stanley and Zero represent the archetypes, CareGiver and Sage.

The main character, Stanley (Cave Man) Yelnat, represents the archetype of the CareGiver turned Hero.

Even though Stanley is living in a hell hole of a detention centre for a crime he did not commit (the theft of a famous pair of running shoes) he is always concerned about how others are feeling or acting. He writes to his mother pretending he is having fun in a camp so she won’t worry. He is actually digging holes in the blazing sun for a crazy warden who is searching for a lost treasure that was supposedly buried in the bottom of a lake that has long since dried up.

Stanley looks after his new friend Hector, known as Zero. He teaches Zero to read. He protects Zero from others.

He risks his life to go and rescue Zero who escapes the camp. To escape the camp and head for the hills is almost a death sentence. There is no shade and no water, only a blazing sun that scorches the earth and every thing living in it except the spotted lizard whose bite causes almost instant death.

Stanley turns into a hero when he carries Zero up a mountain in an effort to save him from dying of thirst.

Stanley is an advanced CareGiver who also takes care of himself. He is careful not to alienate the boys in the camp, knowing they can do him great harm.

He has a good sense of how others are feeling and how others react to situations and avoids harm. He measures his water intake, his work practices, all in an effort to protect himself.

Zero, his friend, is the Sage archetype. Zero has never learned to read, and rarely speaks. Most people thing Zero is not bright. However, the opposite is true. He is very intelligent, has excellent skills in math and a remarkable memory. He possesses a wisdom and a resilience beyond his years.

He is moving from a position of Sage to one of Magician.

Both characters are high functioning and ready to move forward to the next level.

Neither exhibit the dark side of their archetypes.