The Archetypes

MARINA's song 'The Archetypes' delves into the complexities of identity and the roles that society imposes on individuals, particularly women. The lyrics list various archetypes such as 'Housewife,' 'Beauty Queen,' 'Homewrecker,' and 'Idle teen,' which are often stereotypical roles that women are expected to embody at different stages of their lives. These roles are presented as limiting and superficial, suggesting that they contribute to a sense of disillusionment and confusion about one's true self. The line 'The ugly years of being a fool / Ain't youth meant to be beautiful?' questions the societal expectation that youth should be a time of beauty and perfection, highlighting the internal struggle and the pressure to conform to these ideals.

The song also touches on the theme of identity crisis, as seen in the lines 'Queen of no identity / I always feel like someone else / A living myth.' MARINA expresses a sense of detachment from her true self, feeling like she is constantly playing a role rather than being authentic. This is further emphasized by the line 'I grew up in a lie / I can be anyone (anyone) / A study in identity,' which suggests that the singer has been conditioned to adopt various personas, losing touch with her genuine identity in the process. The reference to 'Cindy' and 'Electra Heart' adds another layer, as these could be seen as alter egos or representations of different facets of her personality.

The song concludes with the thought-provoking line 'Through the others, we become ourselves,' which implies that understanding and navigating these archetypes can lead to a deeper understanding of one's true self. The repetition of 'A living film / A real fake' underscores the idea that life can feel like a performance, where authenticity is often sacrificed for the sake of fitting into predefined roles. MARINA's 'The Archetypes' serves as a poignant commentary on the struggle for self-identity in a world that constantly imposes labels and expectations.