Mythological and archetypal reading of the Aura of Fuentes and the Last Feast of Harlequin by LigottiThe mythological and archetypal techniques associated with the interpretation of the Symbolism found in a piece of literature tells the reader something about the spirit and character of a people or culture. Not only does it allow you to delve deeper into this collective mind and speculate on the meaning of a particular work, but it can give you something more. I think by using these techniques you will also get a better insight into the main character's state of mind. It also gives you clues about what's going on "behind the scenes" that will affect the character's mental state. The texts I chose for this essay are Aura by Fuentes and The Last Feast of Harlequin by Thomas Ligotti. These are two dark tales full of symbolism. Interpreting some of this symbolism can tell us why the main character acts the way he does and what his mental state is throughout the story. The main characters of the two stories are similar. Both are well-educated young men, one having attended Harvard and the other the Sorbonne in Paris. The two men are both teachers, each working on their own “life work.” Interestingly enough, neither story mentions any close family or friends that the main characters might have. Aura de Fuentes is definitely a strange story. It's hypnotic; he attracts you with his slow and seductive style. This is how I would describe this twisted love story which ends in a very surprising way. There is symbolism in this story that helps the reader understand it better. First, we will explore some symbols that could show us that there was an effect on Felipe's mental state. Darkness abounded in the ...... middle of paper ...... things of Senora Consuelo. This approach also gives you an insight into the character's mind and possibly answers the question of why would they do something that no other sane person would do. In Aura, certain symbols found throughout the story suggest that Felipe was not thinking clearly. Anyone else would surely have left after meeting this woman and her house. In the other story, the main character's dark side led him to do things that he or any other outsider might not have done otherwise. Using this approach gives the reader few clues as to what might be happening in the story, insight into the main character's mental state, and a better understanding of the story as a whole. Works Cited Fuentes, Carlos. Will have. Trans. Lysandre Kemp. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1981. Ligotti, Thomas. Harlequin's last party. The voice of the damned 1990.