A Good Man Is Hard To Find: Shiftlet Vs. Arnold Friend
Mr. Shiftlet vs. Arnold Friend
In literature, an archetype is a typical character, an action, or a situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature. An archetype (also known as “universal symbol”) may be a character, a theme, a symbol, or even a setting.
In both short stories we have read this year (“A Good Man is Hard to Find” and “Where are you Going, Where Have You Been”) there are (2) major character archetypes, Mr. Shiftlet, and Arnold Friend. What role do these characters symbolize? Do they portray a similar theme, or are they opposites in what they represent?
In the extended response format (2+ paragraphs; similar to test essays), please describe the role, significance, and symbolism of each character archetype. Make sure to provide details from the story to help explain your answer.