This document discusses literary archetypes and provides examples of common archetypes such as father, mother, and wise man. It asks students to consider images and characteristics associated with these archetypes. The document notes pros and cons of using archetypes in writing, such as lending familiarity but also risking cliche. It then analyzes the character of Baba from The Kite Runner as embodying the "Papa Bear" father archetype and how this affects the character of Amir. Students are tasked with annotating a poem about a father figure to compare the literary techniques used to those used to characterize Baba.

1. Ms. Old 10th Grade EngDo Now September 7, 2010 Compose a list of adjectives and images that come to mind when you think of the words FATHER MOTHER WISE MAN Really consider what images come to mind.

2. Archetype An archetype is a quintessential something. A quintessential mother, father, lover, villain. Archetypes embody characteristics that we associate with that “type” of person/character

4. The obvious example is…Assef What archetype do you see Assef portraying? 30 seconds to come up with 3 examples of why Assef embodies that archetype

5. So why use archetypes? The PROS Archetypes help the audience know what to expect from that character They lend a familiarity to the characters. Because we know them relatively well already, we connect better with them. Let’s prove it! Father, Mother, wise man, lover, villain, God/Christ figure Take a few moments to make a list of the characteristics you already associate with each of the above archetypes

6. The CONS Lack originality Become cartoons of themselves (again, Assef) Limit what the author can do with the character. Once you’ve chosen to write an archetype, mustn’t they behave in a certain way? Runs the risk of becoming cliché; the reader may have seen this character so often they are no longer affected by such a character.

7. Baba as archetype—Papa Bear Baba is characterized through imagery and personification. He is the quintessential father archetype. Q1) Why might Hosseini use an archetype in the role of the father? Q2) How does this archetypical father affect Amir?

8. Text-to-text connection You are going to read “My Papa’s Waltz” by Roethke and passages that characterize Baba Annotate it looking specifically for compelling diction, symbolism and figurative language Compare the poem to Baba’s characterization Compose a paragraph that discusses what is similar between the two father figures, and what is different.