Orphan Black and the Heroine's Journey: Symbols, Depth Psychology, and the Feminist Epic

On the heroine’s journey, the young woman quests for autonomy, with adversaries who reflect her shadow side. They polarize with her, evoking different aspects of the personality. Wrestling with these figures and achieving a rapprochement, the heroine discovers all the untapped potential and hidden strength that lies within. BBC’s Orphan Black follows this perfectly. Sarah Manning discovers she’s a clone when she meets her identical copy, Beth, and sees her commit suicide. Through the first season, Sarah plays Beth, learning discipline and responsibility. All this gives her the strength to grapple with her wild sister Helena and evil sister Rachel as she battles the patriarchy in an ancient feminist clash. This book analyzes the symbols and inner life of the five main characters’ journeys, along with some of the lesser Ledas, as all seek the power of a united sisterhood.