Archetypes Archetype: universal symbols – images, characters, motifs, or patterns, that recur in myths, art, and literature throughout the world a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature Ex.: Hero archetype, villain archetype, underdog archetype

Motif a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme. Motif vs. Theme: Motifs help develop or explain a theme, while the theme itself is a central message to novel. Theme: Sacrifice is necessary for a revolution Motif: Imprisonment Motif vs. Symbol: Motifs reoccur throughout a novel, and may be represented through different individual symbols. Motifs also contribute directly to theme while symbols do not necessarily. Ex: Symbols for life, different than the motif of life.

Motif vs. Symbol: Motifs reoccur throughout a novel, and may be represented through different individual symbols. Ex: Symbols for life, different than the motif of life.

Foil  a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. They usually contrast with the protagonist in a way that highlights important character traits In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is contrasted to his father, Unoko.

Irony: Situational, Dramatic, and Verbal Situational: Occurs when an event contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader Dramatic: a form of irony in which the reader or audience knows more about the circumstances or future events than the characters within the scene Verbal: Occurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite

Hamartia Also know as the “tragic flaw,” hamartia is the personal error in a protagonist’s personality that brings about her/his tragic downfall in a tragedy. Ex: Hamlet’s hamartia is his indecisiveness. He cannot make up his mind about the dilemmas he confronts. Hubris: Excessive pride or ego.