The Trickster in Literature (theory)

The Trickster in literature is a character archetype representing cleverness, humor, and subversion. Often mischievous, they challenge norms, authority, or expectations through wit and cunning. Tricksters can be both humorous and unpredictable, disrupting order to reveal deeper truths about society, human nature, or the world. They serve as catalysts for change, pushing characters and narratives beyond conventional boundaries, often blurring moral lines to explore themes of adaptability and transformation. This archetype appears across cultures—like Raccoon or Coyote stories—highlighting the universal role of the trickster as a agent of disruption and insight.