IDENTIFYING ARCHETYPES AND CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE

Transcription

1 IDENTIFYING ARCHETYPES AND CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE

2 WHAT ARE ARCHETYPES Ar-che-type (Noun): the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype repeated patterns that we see across stories an inherited idea or mode of thought

3 WHAT ARE ARCHETYPES The Hero Think of the classic hero and qualities of a hero The main character leaves his or her community to go on an adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community The Villain/Monster An antagonist, especially in opposition to the hero

4 WHAT ARE ARCHETYPES The Sidekick Provides a service to a personality that has a stronger nature or a role in life that carries more authority who The Underdog Characters who are always in the wrong place at the wrong time, or who are generally un-favored, but usually win something of value in the end

5 OTHER EXAMPLES OF ARCHETYPES Mentor Guardian The Trickster Damsel in Distress The Bad Boy The Perfectionist The Boss The Mediator The Caregiver Successful Business Man The Confidant And Many More!

6 TYPES OF CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE Flat Character a character who reveals only one, maybe two, personality traits in a story or novel, and the trait's) do not change. Some flat characters are recognized as stock characters They become types rather than individual since they are instantly recognizable to most readers. Possible examples include the ruthless businessman, or shushing librarian. They are not the focus nor developed in the story.

7 TYPES OF CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE Round Character a well developed character who demonstrates varied and sometimes contradictory traits. Round characters are usually dynamic (change in some way over the course of a story). Dynamic Character a character which changes during the course of a story or novel. The change in outlook or character is permanent. Sometimes a dynamic character is called a developing character. Static Character a character that remains primarily the same throughout a story or novel. Events in the story do not alter a static character s outlook, personality, motivation, perception, habits, etc.

8 TYPES OF CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE Confidant Character Someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the main character s personality, thoughts and intentions (does not need to be a person) Foil Character A character that is used to enhance another character through contrast Example: Cinderella s grace and beauty as opposed to her nasty, self-centered stepsisters is one clear illustration of a foil many may recall from childhood.

9 CHARACTER TRAITS Character Traits are descriptive adjectives that tell us the specific qualities of the character. The author may tell us these traits directly, but more often the author will show us these traits in action. Our job as readers is to draw a conclusion about the character's traits (to infer them) from what the character says, thinks, and does. We might infer a character trait from something a character does only once, or we might draw our conclusions from a series of things the character says and does.

10 HOW TO DETERMINE CHARACTER TRAITS An easy way to think about characters is to make a simple T chart. You can start anywhere. There's no wrong way to make your list: jot down actions that the character takes then match them with descriptive adjectives in the character traits column. list character traits that match your character; then gather a list of actions from the book that support the traits you've listed jump back and forth between the columns listing ideas as they come to you; then go back to fill in the matching information for the related column.

11 HOW TO DETERMINE CHARACTER TRAITS For this example, we'll use the character of Harry Potter from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Actions chases Malfoy when he takes Neville's Remembrall runs to warn Hermione about the Mountain Troll on Halloween and helps Ron fight the Troll works to protect the Sorcerer's Stone and keep it away from Lord Voldemort Revealed Character Traits Courageous Brave Self-Sacrificing

12 EXAMPLES OF CHARACTER TRAITS alluring, ambitious, arrogant blunt, boorish, bossy, brilliant clumsy, cocky, crafty, courageous dark, discrete, discouraged, dutiful earnest, eloquent, evil, expert faithful, fierce, flirt, fortunate giddy, glamorous, grouchy, guilty hardy, happy, hateful, healthy ignorant, immaculate, inconsiderate, independent jealous, kindly, lazy, leader malicious, moody, mysterious, nasty, negligent, nervous, noisy obedient, obnoxious, picky, popular quarrelsome, quiet, responsible, restless sappy, self-centered, sickly, sly talented, tenacious, touchy, trustworthy useful, uppity, vulgar, valiant warm, weak, zealous

13 CATEGORIZING CHARACTER For each character, please: Determine the Archetype (Hero, Villain, Sidekick, Underdog, etc.) Determine the type of character (Flat, Round, Dynamic, Static, etc.) Determine appropriate character traits EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING!

14 ALBUS BRIAN WULFRIC PERCIVAL DUMBLEDORE

15 MEGAMIND

16 JOHNNY CADE (THE OUTSIDERS)

17 PATRICK STAR

18 KATNIS EVERDEEN (THE HUNGER GAMES)

19 MR. HYDE (DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE)

20 CHOOSE YOUR OWN CHARACTER TO CATEGORIZE!