The Bell Jar Lesson Plan

Novel Archetypes

Kind of Activity:

Mixed Media

Objective:

Students will examine the characters in the novel and define them according to traditional archetypes.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7

Structure:

To explore the concept of archetypes and the characters in The Bell Jar, have students make a list of all the characters in the novel, major and minor. Ask the class to stereotype these characters, using categories such as hero, villain, friend, enemy, etc. Then define the word "archetype" and explain the concept in literature: a typical example of a certain kind of person or a certain role. Offer certain archetypes as examples: the mother, the...