1. Character Archetypes

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

3. 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)

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

5. Guess the archetype!

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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