The Outsider / Misfit Archetype

The Outsider

The archetype of the Outsider is one of the sub-archetypes of the Rebel with its strong patterns of nonconformity and individualism. The Outsider archetype is often misunderstood, in fact, feeling misunderstood is part of the pattern of this archetype. Being on the outside has its advantages though. The Outsider offers a perspective that is not possible for an insider to gain. The Outsider doesn’t fit in, that is part of the value they bring. They can see what others miss, they value what others discard, they bring insight and wisdom, the gift of being an outlier of a culture or tribe. The Outsider has a strong sense of self that is well developed. Feeling exiled and alienated, encourages the cultivation of a clearly defined self. They are independent, comfortable with being different and perhaps relish being different. They carry with them a treasure trove of wisdom, life experience and understanding gleaned from their journeys. The Outsider belongs everywhere and nowhere at the same time. They refuse to betray themselves with attempts to be liked or accepted knowing that being true to themselves is the most genuine form of belonging. The Outsider, paradoxically, becomes a source of belonging for others wherever they go. Others feel seen, understood, and respected by the Outsider. The Outsider doesn’t need to fit in anywhere but stand out confidently instead. Because of their unique situation and experiences, they usually have a gift of some kind. They are creators and innovators because they are not constrained by societies expectations and standards. They are in a sense, freer than others. They learned to listen to their inner voice, follow their own wisdom and be guided by instinct rather than looking to others for direction. Because of this, they make good leaders and are inspiring to others. The Outsider lives on the periphery of societies, whether it be emotionally or literally and sometimes both. The Outsider experiences many painful things but each one forms a part of the identity that develops this archetypal pattern. The key for the Outsider, is to remain open hearted and caring and not let the pain and bitterness darken their hearts.
 
Some historical Outsiders include Robin Williams, Shakespeare, Steve Jobs, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Albert Einstein.
 
Literature too is full of Outsider/Misfit characters. Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Claire Fraser from the Outlander Series is another great example, as is Jane Eyre, Huckleberry Finn and Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye.
 
Key Words Associated with the Outsider

1. Depth of Experience
2. Non-Conformist
3. Insight and Perspective
4. Unique
5. Unconventional
6. Individualistic
7. Tough
8. Unusual
9. Resilient
10. Independent 

The Misfit

The shadow side of this archetype is the Misfit or Outcast. The Misfit can carry deep wounds of bitterness and resentment for being left out, rejected and unwanted. The Misfit is often angry and pushes other people away, believing that connection will only create more pain and rejection. The Misfit can become shut down and reclusive to avoid the contact with others that will result in more pain and rejection. Aching to belong the Misfit tries to mold themselves into something acceptable so they can belong somewhere and shed their misfit identity. But the Misfit must transform their experiences into the light, otherwise they remain exiled and disconnected from others. They feel a deep sense of wrongness, that they were born unacceptable. The have a nomadic quality, drifting from place to place and never able to feel connected. They want desperately to be accepted and to belong but instead they reinforce their alienation and rejection by being unable to reconcile their differences. The lesson for this archetype is to remain open and connected to others and not let the bitterness and rejection of being different harden into isolation and self-loathing. This self-loathing can turn some of the powerful qualities and gifts of this archetype into dark and destructive weapons. The Misfit in a leadership role can cause devastation and ruin, with Adolf Hitler being the prime example of a Misfit. He never really belonged anywhere. He was raised by a strict father whom he could never please who died when Hitler was young. He failed at school and didn’t get along with the other students. After his mother died when he was eighteen, he became aimless and eventually moved to Vienna to try to be accepted into the famed Academy of Fine Arts. He joined the German Army when the First World War broke out, but he was Austrian and didn’t fit in with his regiment well. He wasn’t particularly liked by others and was described as off-putting and strange. This Misfit though, had a knack for oratory and rousing speeches that led to his becoming leader of the Nazi Party. He went on, of course, to try and destroy other misfits including the handicapped, gypsies, homosexuals and Jews in an attempt to prove his own worth. This is a very clear example of the deep shadow aspect of the Outsider who is unable to transform the Misfit.
 
Some Key words Associated with the Misfit

1. Rejection
2. Exile
3. Outcast
4. Unwanted
5. Undesirable
6. Self Pity
7. Bitter
8. Lonely
9. Disconnected
10. Self Loathing