Bobby Boucher and the Outcast Archetype

        Ever since the film industry began, the archetype of a social outcast turned hero has been one known to instil hope in viewers.  One movie that has been particularly effective in adapting this archetype is the 1998 movie The Waterboy with main protagonist Bobby Boucher; a waterboy for a college football team. Although this film is not widely recognized, it serves its purpose in delivering the message about the transition of an outcast. The main character gains the viewers empathy from the start because of his lack of interpersonal skills with others, making him the ideal target for the archetype of an outcast.
        Before viewing the film, the viewer can assume the main character is an outcast just from looking at the title "waterboy." Defined as someone who caters to the team, as opposed to playing for the team; the waterboy is someone we can all relate to as someone who struggles socially and is perceived as different from the rest of the crowd. Thus, this person is usually mocked because of this position and exists outside the societal norm, always longing for a sense of belonging.   Immediately, this character gains sympathy from the audience because of his position that is looked down upon by others. The fact that he is automatically deemed as inferior is why he is a perfect example of the outcast archetype.
        Near the beginning of the movie, it is revealed that his desire to become a waterboy came from his father’s death from dehydration. To add to his troubled past, the protagonist also has hidden anger issues from the constant teasing he has suffered throughout his life. These elements are all major components of what makes a suitable and isolated outcast, as other characters are not easily prone to associate themselves with the outcast. After becoming the official waterboy for the University of Louisiana Cougars, the players constantly torment him and he is eventually fired by the head coach for "disrupting practices" due to his presence on the team. The constant stuttering of this character when talked to other only fuels the argument of the stereotypical outcast. Boucher lacks confidence and therefore is easily susceptible to being a scapegoat; meaning he takes the blame for things that weren't really his fault. This character also lacks the courage to fight back against his oppressors, which makes him the appropriate underdog in this story.
         As the film continues, the audience begins to truly feel for the waterboy and wishes for his success. Like other outcasts, there is always a breaking point to which the character can withstand no more pressure from the peers around him. This occurs in the waterboy, when Boucher stands up for himself and channels his anger into football. Upon doing this, this makes him a fierce competitor in the football league, as he crushes anyone that stands in his way with lethal force.  The common thing with outcasts is that people tend to underestimate the power they hold which can often result in undesirable consequences. Bobby Boucher also exhibits a deal of instability throughout this portion of the movie, as the viewer is uncertain what he will do next. That is part of the power of the social outcasts, as it puts everyone on edge as they are afraid of the unpredictability of that outcast unleashing the built up rage.
          Up until this point, Bobby Boucher in the waterboy exhibits traits directly like any other outcast in any other given form of media. After the energy kept inside has exploded the majority of outcasts then become wanderers; destined to roam the earth because of the regret that still exists inside. Instead, following the logical path of most underdog stories, the character of Bobby Boucher overcomes obstacles such as his mothers’ protective nature as well as the odds against him to achieve continued success. This is not like other outcasts in films and media because normal outcasts don't have the confidence to achieve their true dreams.
       This classic take on an ancient idea is effective because it takes this traditional archetype and relates it the real world and the audience. The outcast has relevance to the audience because they had experienced people like that in their everyday lives, adding meaning to the purpose of this film. The message I got from viewing this film was that an individual must learn to value what is different about them to truly find success in life.  The outcast is usually a character that is pitied and mocked by others, but in this instance, the outcast inspires hope by speaking directly to the feelings of the audience. Although the plot wasn't the greatest, what I truly found inspirational was the personal connections that added validity to this form of media. In what ways does this archetype make an individual reflect on their own lives? Also, what does this change show about human nature?