Character Archetypes

In your reading journal: Archetype Notes Character Archetype: Archetype Description Ms. Foss’ Example My example(s)

Archetype: A mold of a character, idea, or situation that keeps getting repeated in different stories throughout time. Ex: Boy meets girl, fall in love, face a problem, overcome it, live happily ever after (situation) Castle where a princess is trapped (place) Brave hero (character)

Character Archetype: A basic model or mold that characters have been based on in stories throughout time

Guess the archetype!

Archetype: The Mentor Description: Wise/experienced Older than the main character Offers advice Example: Haymitch, Dumbledore, Obi Wan

Archetype: The Hero(ine) Description: Brave, fights to restore peace Strong - stays true to him/herself Often has to leave home to go on a journey Example: Simba, Katniss, Harry Potter

See also... The TRAGIC hero The RELUCTANT hero has to be persuaded or forced into heroics Ex: Bilbo Baggins leads to his own destruction Ex: Emperor Kuzco

The Joker Also: Clown/Trickster Comic relief character Always making jokes/looking for a good time Ex: Timon and Pumbaa Fred and George

The Confidant A person the main character can CONFIDE in Helps the MC come to a realization

The Innocent Good, kind, and moral Not affected by the evils of the world Ex: Prim Everdeen

The Rebel Seeks danger, reckless Breaks the rules for the thrill of it Ex: Sirius Black, Capt. Jack

The Sidekick Also: “the Best Friend” Provides companionship and advice Ex: Ron Weasley, Dory

The Scapegoat Always getting in trouble Blamed for problems Ex: Hades’ minions, Shrek

The Underdog Wins in the end Ex: Tortoise and Hare Greg Heffley

The Peacemaker Also: the “mediator” Brings two characters together Ex: Pocahontas

The Foil A character that contrasts with another Ex: Harry Potter vs. Draco Malfoy Anna vs. Elsa

First journal check: Friday, 4/7 8 Topic Tracking Chp 4 9 Sibling Quick Write 10 Archetype notes 11 Topic Tracking Chp. 5

When trying to figure out a character’s archetype, consider the different ways an author chooses to describe them. Direct characterization: Indirect characterization: The author tells you through the narrator what a character’s personality is like. The author shows what a character is like through his/her dialogue, actions, or other characters’ reactions.

Direct Direct or indirect? “Soda is different from everybody; he understands everything, almost… He’s always happy-go-lucky and grinning, while Darry’s hard and firm and rarely grins at all.” p. 2 Direct

Indirect Direct or indirect? “You’d better leave us alone,” the redhead said in a biting voice. “Or I’ll call the cops.” “Oh, my, my” -- Dally looked bored -- “you’ve got me scared to death. You ought to see my record sometime, baby.” He grinned slyly. “Guess what I’ve been in for?” p. 22 Indirect

Direct Direct or indirect? “Steve Randle was seventeen, tall and lean, with thick greasy hair he kept combed in complicated swirls. He was cocky, smart, and Soda’s best buddy since grade school.” p.9 Direct