American mythologist Joseph Campbell made a decisive contribution to the study of archetypes and their relevance in literature. Campbell developed the concept of the “monomyth” or “hero’s journey,” which recurs in many cultures and narratives. He identifies various archetypes that are crucial to the hero or heroine on their journey. One of these archetypes is the mentor, a figure who supports and advises the hero and often guides them through difficult moments.

The mentor in Joseph Campbell

In Campbell’s model, the mentor is a central figure who supports the hero on their journey. He represents wisdom, experience, and the ability to guide the hero to the next stage of his development. In many stories, the mentor appears as an older, more experienced person who helps the hero overcome his fears and recognize his true potential. He is often a source of comfort and inspiration, but also a figure whom the hero must challenge in order to grow.

In the classic structure of the hero’s journey, the mentor is often a guide who leads the hero to important insights and helps him overcome the obstacles he encounters in life. He is not only an advisor, but also a figure who influences the hero emotionally and psychologically.

The mentor in erotic literature

In erotic literature, the figure of the mentor is often used to accompany the protagonist on an emotional and sexual journey. He usually appears as an experienced, self-confident man who introduces the main character to the world of intimacy. The mentor in erotic literature is not only a teacher, but also an emotional supporter who helps the protagonist to recognize and accept her own desires.

Anaïs Nin – Delta of Venus (collection, 1977)

• Work and context: Anaïs Nin’s Delta of Venus is a collection of erotic short stories that explore various sexual experiences and dynamics. Several stories feature characters who act as mentors, introducing younger or less experienced characters to the world of sexuality.
• Mentor figure: In the story “The Basque and Bijou,” the older, experienced Basque acts as a mentor to the young Bijou. He not only teaches her sexual techniques, but also gently introduces her to a world of sensuality, with a focus on pleasure and mutual respect. Unlike Anne-Marie (The Story of O), who subjugates O in an authoritarian manner, Basque’s role is more caring and aims to give Bijou joy and self-confidence in her sexuality.
• What makes him a good mentor? Basque’s teachings are empathetic, and he encourages Bijou’s sexual self-discovery, which corresponds to the mentor archetype that empowers the hero. His role is not exploitative but encouraging, which distinguishes him more clearly as a mentor than, for example, Mother Midnight (Moll Flanders), who leads her protégé into an immoral world.
• Comparison: Unlike Mrs. Cole (Fanny Hill), who pragmatically introduces Fanny to prostitution, Basque’s relationship with Bijou is more personal and less focused on social advancement, which makes his mentor role clearer.

D.H. Lawrence – Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928)

• Work and context: In this novel, Lady Constance Chatterley discovers her sexuality and emotional fulfillment through her relationship with the gamekeeper Oliver Mellors. The novel deals with sexual liberation and the overcoming of social conventions.
• Mentor figure: Oliver Mellors serves as a mentor to Connie. He introduces her not only to a new dimension of physical pleasure, but also to a deeper emotional and spiritual connection to nature and her own sensuality. Mellors is patient, empathetic, and teaches Connie to understand sexuality as an expression of life force, in contrast to the sterile relationships of her upper-class world.
• What makes him a good mentor? Mellors’ role goes beyond mere sexual initiation; he helps Connie find her identity and autonomy, which corresponds to the classic mentor archetype who leads the hero to self-realization. Compared to Anne-Marie, who forces O into submission, Mellors’ influence is liberating and supportive, making him a clear mentor.
• Comparison: Unlike Mrs. Cole or Mother Midnight (Moll Flanders), who lead their protagonists into morally ambiguous worlds (prostitution, crime), Mellors’ mentorship is focused on Connie’s personal and emotional development, which emphasizes the mentor role more strongly.

Emmanuelle Arsan – Emmanuelle (1959)

• Work and context: Emmanuelle tells the story of young Emmanuelle, who embarks on a journey of sexual self-discovery in Bangkok. The novel is a classic of erotic literature and emphasizes free love and sexual exploration.
• Mentor figure: Mario, an older, worldly man, acts as a mentor to Emmanuelle. He introduces her to a philosophy of free love, teaches her to overcome social taboos, and encourages her to explore her sexuality without guilt or shame. His role is that of a wise teacher who challenges Emmanuelle intellectually and sensually.
• What makes him a good mentor? Mario not only provides Emmanuelle with practical sexual experiences, but also a worldview that shapes her perspective on sexuality and freedom. His caring, intellectual guidance and focus on Emmanuelle’s self-development make him a clear mentor figure, in contrast to characters such as Anne-Marie (The Story of O), who exercise control, or Mother Midnight (Moll Flanders), whose teachings are criminal in nature.
• Comparison: Mario is similar to Mellors (Lady Chatterley’s Lover) in his supportive, liberating role, but is more intellectual and less emotionally involved, which makes his mentorship clearer in the sense of a philosophical teacher.

The mentor as a guide in matters of love

In erotic literature, the mentor often acts as a key figure who introduces the protagonist to the complex world of sexuality and love. Characters such as Susanne in The School of Venus and Lycaenium in Daphnis and Chloe clearly embody this archetype by imparting knowledge and self-confidence to promote sensual self-development.

Unlike the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons, who tends to exploit Cécile, or the authoritarian Anne-Marie in The Story of O, who forces submission, true mentors such as Mrs. Cole (Fanny Hill) or Mother Midnight (Moll Flanders) are supportive, albeit morally ambivalent.

In contrast to male mentors such as Oliver Mellors (Lady Chatterley’s Lover) or Mario (Emmanuelle), who often play a liberating role, female mentors such as Susanne (The School of Venus) and Lycaenium (Daphnis and Chloe) offer a supportive or empathetic perspective that underscores gender diversity in the transmission of erotic knowledge.

The construction of the female mentor in prose

When creating a female mentor in your prose, you should design a character who offers knowledge and emotional support without dominating or exploiting the protagonist. Give her depth through credible motives—whether caring, as in Susanne (L’École des filles), or mixed intentions, as in Lycaenium (Daphnis and Chloe)—and avoid purely manipulative roles such as that of the Marquise de Merteuil (Dangerous Liaisons). The latter tends to take on the role of a trickster. (More on this elsewhere).

Let the mentor drive the plot forward by introducing the heroine or hero to a new world, and use dialogue or symbolic actions to convey her wisdom. Pay attention to gender balance to avoid stereotypical dynamics, and give the mentor a voice that authentically reflects the themes of your story, whether it’s love, power, or self-discovery.

Writing Prompt

Imagine a young woman visiting an experienced mentor for the first time to learn more about her own sexuality. The mentor calmly and compassionately explains how she can love and appreciate her body without feeling ashamed. Describe the scene, picking up on both the protagonist’s external and internal impressions. How does the young woman feel when she receives such guidance for the first time? How does the mentor react to her insecurity? How does their relationship develop over the course of the scene?