From Robin Hood to Katniss Everdeen
Ancestry is more than just being biologically related to someone. It is also information and centuries of ancestral experience written into one’s DNA and carried forward by each subsequent generation. The DNA contained information and experiences can be projected into visuals that are associated with what we love, who we are, and what we aspire to. And my own case is a proof of that.
There are these two characters whom I love — one comes from my childhood, - Robin Hood, the movie Robin of Sherwood (1984), and the other is Katniss Everdeen, the movie The Hunger Games (2012). I admire and strongly relate to both of them. In particular, to the movie stills that capture them as archers.
What does it mean to be an archer?
Being an archer means maintaining both distance (for perspective) and connection (for impact). Archers must know when to act and when to wait.
This suggests:
- Seeing patterns others miss (the archer’s broad view)
- Knowing when and how to take precise action (the archer’s timing)
- Maintaining independence while serving a larger purpose (the archer’s stance)
- Building bridges between different groups or perspectives (the archer’s range)
What is interesting and noteworthy is that the first character, — Robin Hood,— was one of my favourites when I was a little girl. I saw this British TV series in mid 1980s and I literally fell in love with Robin. I even used to draw his portraits.
Last year, while evaluating my childhood experiences and associations, I wrote an article ‘Образные фильмы и образы из детства — что могут поведать наши детские пристрастия’ (in Russian) where I mentioned Robin and shared how I had connected or projected his personal qualities onto the image of my father whom, by the way, I never saw.
Katniss Everdeen is the character that I discovered much later, in 2012, being already an adult. The minute I saw her in the movie The Hunger Games I fell in love with her courageous, honest, determined, and remarkable character. But this time, unlike with Robin, I saw in her myself.
In order to analyse these connections I turned to Claude 3.5 Sonnet (LLM). I started with the analysis of the two images — Robin and Katniss, — presented to Claude side by side.
Here is what Claude wrote to me in regards to the images:
Visual and Symbolic Parallels:
In both images, we see characters in similar poses — drawing a bow with intense focus and determination. This archery stance is not just about the physical act, but represents precision, patience, and purposeful action. Both characters embody the archetype of the skilled archer who fights against oppression and injustice.
From your article, Robin Hood represented your father’s qualities — someone who stood for justice and had a special mission. This connection becomes even more interesting when we look at Katniss Everdeen (the character from The Hunger Games), as she too is an “избранник” (chosen one) who takes on a mission of justice against oppressive powers.
Character Essence:
Your attachment to Robin Hood, as described in the article, centered on qualities like “отвага” (courage), “надежность” (reliability), “чувство справедливости” (sense of justice), and “честность” (honesty). Katniss Everdeen’s character embodies these same qualities — she’s reliable to her family and allies, courageously stands up against injustice, and maintains her honesty even in a world of deception.
Historical-Cultural Bridge:
What’s particularly interesting is how these characters, despite being from different eras and contexts (medieval England and dystopian future America), represent the same eternal struggle against systemic injustice. Just as Robin Hood fought against corrupt nobility, Katniss fights against an oppressive Capitol.
Personal Psychological Connection:
Your article mentions that Robin Hood reflected qualities you associated with your father. The progression to identifying with Katniss might represent an internalisation of these same qualities — moving from seeing these traits in a paternal figure to seeing them in a female character who actively embodies them herself. This could symbolise a personal growth journey, from admiring these qualities in others to developing them within yourself.
Contemplating over what Claude had presented in his analysis, I decided to put my thoughts into a visual — a collage that would combine how I felt with what I knew about myself (the image that opens this article). I then went back to Claude and asked him to look at the collage and share his thoughts on it. I also provided hints and context of what I had included into the collage, explaining that the juxtopositioned collage represents two generations — the father and the daughter, the tradition and modernity. The nature inspired background of the wheat filed demonstrates not only fertility but also resurrection of the clan which is represented by the diamond tiara ‘The Ears of Wheat’ one of the treasures that belonged to the Imperial Crown Jewels of the Romanov House.
The Ears of Wheat Tiara is not only rich in symbolism but also has an interesting story that few know. In 1925, the tiara was sold by the Soviet State as part of the bulk sale of the Imperial Crown Jewels to a UK based Syndicate.
In 1927, the Syndicate put the tiara on sale at the Christies auction. The auction took place on 16 March 1927. The reserve for the tiara was £6,000 and the bidding only reached £4,400. When a lot does not sell at the auction, which was the case with this tiara, it is returned to the seller. The title page gave the seller as: ‘A Syndicate in this country’ e.g. the one who officially had put it on sale. However, the day-book showed the seller as: S. Mendelson, 62. Rue de Fortification, Antwerp, Belgium. It is to this address and person that the tiara was returned.
Now back to Claude and his analysis. Here is what he wrote to me:
Thank you for sharing this profound and layered interpretation. Let me help unpack the rich symbolism and meaning you’ve woven into this composition.
The generational connection you’ve created through these two archers is particularly meaningful. The medieval archer and the modern archer represent not just a father and daughter, but the broader concept of hereditary legacy — how skills, traditions, and cultural identity flow from one generation to the next. This transmission of heritage is beautifully symbolised by their shared archery prowess, though expressed in different contexts and eras.
The placement of the Romanov tiara is especially significant. By positioning this imperial crown jewel behind both figures, you’ve created a visual representation of shared inheritance and legitimacy. The tiara serves as a bridge between past and present, suggesting that both generations have equal claim to their noble heritage. The choice of a Romanov tiara adds another layer of meaning, perhaps speaking to themes of historical legacy, resilience, and the preservation of family identity through dramatic social changes.
The natural setting you’ve chosen — the wheat field — works on multiple symbolic levels. As you noted, wheat traditionally symbolises fertility and abundance, but in this context, it takes on additional meaning. The wheat’s cycle of growth, harvest, and rebirth parallels the generational renewal you’re depicting. Each grain contains the potential for new growth, just as each generation carries forward the seeds of their ancestry.
The pink butterfly adds a crucial emotional dimension to this narrative of inheritance and transformation. Its colour, representing love, suggests that the transmission of heritage between father and daughter is not just about skills or status, but is fundamentally an act of familial love. The butterfly’s transformation from chrysalis to winged creature mirrors the daughter’s own journey of growing into her inheritance while developing her own identity.
The answer did resonate with me and my feelings. What Claude suggested then was that we could delve deeper into how the modern setting of one archer and the traditional setting of the other creates a dialogue about how heritage adapts across time while maintaining its essential character. I found the topic interesting and asked Claude to expand on it.
Here is what he wrote:
The contrast between the settings creates a compelling narrative about heritage evolution:
The medieval archer exists in a natural, untamed forest environment, representing traditional ways — direct connection to nature, simpler tools, and living by ancestral wisdom. Their archery was tied to survival, hunting, and protection.
The modern archer operates in what appears to be a more structured, militaristic context, showing how ancient skills have been adapted for new purposes. The traditional bow remains but has evolved alongside modern materials and techniques. The basic form persists while the application changes.
What’s striking is how the core elements remain constant despite the visual evolution:
- The stance and focus required for archery
- The relationship between archer and bow as an extension of self
- The mental discipline and precision needed for mastery
This visual dialogue suggests that heritage isn’t static — it’s a living tradition that adapts to new circumstances while maintaining its essential character. The daughter’s modern archery represents not a break from tradition, but its natural evolution, ensuring the family’s legacy remains relevant and vital in each new era.
I cannot agree more with the above. So, as has been illustrated above, ancestry is never just a biological relation to someone, it is a whole world that one carries with themselves, including character, associations, perspectives, behaviour, and family stories written into one’s subconscious.
Seraphima Bogomolova together with Claude 3.5 Sonnet
