Foil, Archetype, Caricature

A character who is mischievous and may play tricks on others would most likely fit into which of the following character archetypes?

• The innocent

• The villain

• The fool

• The damsel in distress

An archetype…

• is so common in literature that it develops a universal response.

• can be a theme, motif, symbol, or character.

• can be expected to react similarly or demonstrate similar meaning across all texts.

• All of these.

A character who represents the “warrior” archetype can be expected to…

• Always act with integrity and fight for what is morally “right”.

• win or beat the battles or problem he faces. - while a good warrior might seek to make the “best” choice, the warrior archetype can also have a negative trait of fighting any battle in front of him and expecting to vanquish it.

• always fall in love at the end of the story.

•  use his strength to change the villain of the story by making him/her a better person.

Caricature in literature is when…

• an author makes a character seem less intelligent or attractive because that character is supposed to be the villain of the text.

• an author describes a character so accurately and realistically that the reader feels personally connected to the character

• an author downplays a character’s physical characteristics so their intelligence is more apparent and important.

• an author uses exaggeration or distortion of a character’s most notable physical or or mental characteristics.

Political humor and satire often use caricature (either in writing or drawing) because…

• the audience gets a more accurate sense of the politician or character.

• the purpose of these types of texts are to mock or belittle the subject of the text.

• caricature treats the subject of the work with respect that political authorities expect.

• it is the best way to communicate humor to the audience.

What is one of the primary effects caricature for the audience?

• The audience will consider the subject of the work more likable.

• The audience will consider the subject of the work more seriously.

• The audience will understand the true thoughts of the subject of the work.

• The audience will see the views or appearance of the subject of the work as ridiculous.

What is a character foil?

• a character who defeats the protagonist

• the protagonist’s friend or ally

• a character who highlights the protagonists’ traits through contrast

• the protagonist’s enemy

What is the purpose of a character foil?

• to make the protagonist look bad

• to make the protagonist look good

• to give the story a more interesting plot and resolution

• to emphasize specific traits of the protagonist

Which of the following examples best demonstrates a character and his/her foil?

• two men who are in love with the same woman but one has confidence and money and the other does not.

• two women who both want the same job but the more qualified one gets it and eventually hires the other woman as her assistant.

• two friends who help each other to play tricks on one of their school’s meanest and most annoying teachers.

• two enemies who end up being forced to work together and eventually become best friends.