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Archetypes from the BoB List 2012-2013
The Innocent Embarking on a Journey – Many stories includes a young person setting out,
willingly or not, on a journey or quest and meeting challenges. Often the innocent leaves home
looking for something better, and returns with a wiser outlook.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Orphan – The Orphan is accustomed to pain and loss, learns to accept help from others,
and finally becomes independent. The Orphan archetype features largely in Cinderella stories,
from Yeh-Shen to Harry Potter. The Shadow Orphan becomes a loner. In A Christmas Carol,
Ebenezer Scrooge begins like a Shadow Orphan, but finds redemption.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Orphan
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Warrior – This is the character who will stand up and fight; a hero or a villain. The heroic
warrior moves from fighting for the sake of the fight to fighting for what is right for the sake of
others. The Shadow Warrior, like Darth Vader, turns to the Dark Side.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Caregiver – This is the character who steps in to help. Sometimes this is a parent, but it
could be a Good Samaritan. The Shadow Caregiver takes their responsibilities to an extreme, and
becomes the Wicked Stepmother or an overzealous teacher.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
The Caregiver
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Seeker – The Seeker wanders aimlessly, trying new things until (s)he climbs the ladder of
success. At times the Seeker is looking for spiritual guidance. The Shadow Seeker is never
satisfied, always grasping for more.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Friend/Lover - The Friend or Lover or sidekick is incomplete without his/her companion.
At times, this means that two characters act as one, like Hansel and Gretel. Shadow Friends or
Shadow Lovers are part of a toxic relationship that is out of control or damaging.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Creator – The Creator knows what is truly important and makes dreams come true. Shadow
Creators are the con artists and others who exploit people for their own selfish reasons.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Creator
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Ruler – These characters are more likely to be called “leaders” in America. A good ruler
has concern for the entire group, community, or planet. Good rulers are allowed to make
mistakes. The Shadow Ruler uses his/her power to ruin the lives of his/her people.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Magician – “Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?” Good Magicians use their powers for
good, and a Shadow Magician uses his/her power for destruction and mayhem. What separates
Magicians from Creators is, well, the magic!
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
The Magician
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Sage – The Sage offers spiritual and intellectual care, rather than the physical care of the
Caretaker. A true Sage is aware that the truth is complex. Darth Vader could also be considered a
Shadow Sage, as he attempts to lure Luke to the Dark Side.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars
The Wise Fool or Trickster – The Wise Fool tricks others with his cleverness, pretending to be
a fool as part of the trick. Tricksters are extremely common folktale characters, like Brer Rabbit,
Coyote, Anansi, or the Hare in Aesop’s story of The Tortoise and the Hare. The Joker from
Batman would be an example of the Shadow Trickster.
Close to Famous
A Long Walk to Water
Inside Out and Back Again
Breaking Stalin’s Nose
Shakespeare’s Secret
Around the World
Seven Keyes of Balabad
Missing May
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Trouble Begins at 8:
Amelia Lost
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Crowfield Curse
One Dog and His Boy
Wednesday Wars