Symbols
Choose one object from Zootopia and explain why it could be considered a symbol.
Possibilities:
-the police badge represents responsibility, trust, and belonging.
-Carrot Pen...how others stereotype and underestimate her or symbol of underestimated intelligence
-Night Howler Flowers...symbolize how fear and misinformation can be used to control society.
A character who goes on a journey, faces challenges, and grows is usually this archetype.
100 Bonus Points: list at least 3 common traits of this archetype.
The Hero.
Starts out inexperienced or uncertain
Encounters challenges that test their beliefs
Makes mistakes and learns from them
Returns changed, wiser, or more self-aware
What is an example of a setting that might represent danger, change, or the unknown?
100 Bonus Points: This archetypal setting forces characters to...
An example of a setting that represents danger, change, or the unknown is a desert, forest, or mysterious city.
This archetypal setting forces characters to:
Face challenges and tests they wouldn’t encounter in their normal world
Confront fears, make important decisions, and grow
Step out of their comfort zone, often leading to self-discovery or transformation
The main character usually has a conflict or challenge that drives the story. For example, in Zootopia, Judy Hopps needs to solve the mystery of why predators are “going savage” while also proving herself as a capable police officer.
Give another example of a conflict or challenge that drives a story.
Hansel and Gretel are lost in the dark forest and must find their way home while avoiding the witch.
Zootopia-Judy has to solve why predators are “going savage” while proving herself as a police officer
Little Red Riding Hood-Avoid being tricked and eaten by the wolf
Skibidi, rizz and sus have all been popular Gen Z slang for more than a minute (so to speak). What numerically based slang has been confusing adults and annoying math teachers?
6-7
Bonus 100 Points: what does it mean and what helped it go viral?
What’s the difference between a symbol and a regular object? What question should you ask to decide if something is a symbol?
A regular object is something that exists in a story only for its literal purpose. It helps the plot move forward but does not represent a bigger idea.
A symbol is an object, person, place, or action that has a literal meaning and represents a deeper, abstract idea.
“Does this represent something deeper?”
This archetype gives advice, guidance, or tools to help the hero succeed.
100 Bonus Points: List at least 3 common traits of this archetype.
The Mentor.
Common Traits of the Mentor Archetype:
Provides guidance or wisdom
Offers tools, training, or preparation
Encourages growth and independence
Appears early in the journey (often)
Represents experience or moral insight
How does Zootopia use settings to show differences between characters or groups?
Different Districts Represent Different Groups
Sahara Square → Hot, desert-like, luxurious, wealthy area
Tundratown → Cold, icy, formal
Little Rodentia → Tiny, dense, miniature city
The city’s geography physically separates groups, highlighting social and cultural differences.
A story where a character must leave home, face challenges, and return changed follows this plot pattern.
The hero's journey.
100 Bonus Points: Give an example of a book, video game or movie that has this plot pattern.
100 Bonus Points:Why is a “journey” setting used so often in myths and movies?
What big change to its social media platforms did Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, announce at the start of the year?
It would no longer...
It would no longer fact check content.
The fact-checking policy had been instituted to curtail the spread of misinformation across Meta's social media apps. But in January, Meta joined X and YouTube in shifting moderation to users.
What’s the difference between a symbol and an archetype?
Bonus 100 Points: give two examples!
A symbol is a specific object, character, place, or action that represents a bigger abstract idea beyond its literal meaning.
An archetype is a universal pattern or role that appears across many stories, cultures, and time periods.
This archetype causes trouble, uses cleverness, and often bends the rules.
100 Bonus Points: List at least 3 common traits of this archetype.
The trickster.
Common Traits of the Trickster Archetype:
Clever and witty
Breaks or bends rules
Causes trouble or chaos
Challenges authority
Unexpectedly helpful
In what ways might a setting reflect the values or beliefs of the society in the story? Give an example from a story we have read, watched or discussed.
A setting can reflect the values, beliefs, or fears of a society by showing what a culture prioritizes, what it fears, or how it organizes power and opportunity.
Examples:
City districts (Little Rodentia, Tundratown, Sahara Square, Downtown). Reflect societal values about size, power, and wealth.
Little Red Riding Hood- The dark forest represents danger and the unknown.
Hansel and Gretel- The setting reflects a society that values caution, cleverness, and discernment, teaching that appearances can be deceiving.
A story where a character must grow up or learn responsibility fits this plot archetype.
100 Bonus Points: Give an example of a book, video game or movie that has this plot pattern.
100 Bonus Points: what is the fancy literary term for this plot archetype?
Coming-of-Age story
-The main character faces challenges that teach them responsibility, self-awareness, or maturity.
-The story focuses on personal growth and transformation rather than external events alone.
Book: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton → Ponyboy learns about empathy, class differences, and growing up quickly.
Movie: Zootopia → Judy Hopps learns that being a hero isn’t just about following the rules or working alone—she grows in empathy, understanding prejudice, and teamwork..
a bildungsroman
The Oxford English Dictionary recently unveiled its 2025 Word of the Year. What is it? (gaslight, rizz, doomscrolling or rage bait).
100 Bonus Points: what was last year's word? Hint: also a Gen Z word.
Oxford’s 2025 Word of the Year is “rage bait,” defined as online content meant to elicit anger. It beat out “biohack” and “aura farming.”
Brain rot was 2024.
In Zootopia, the predator vs. prey conflict symbolizes what bigger idea?
In Zootopia, the predator vs. prey conflict symbolizes real-world systems of prejudice, racism, and fear-based stereotyping—specifically how societies divide people into groups, assign them traits, and then use those assumptions to justify inequality.
A character who changes sides, hides their true nature, or cannot be trusted fits this archetype.
100 Bonus Points: give an example of one or list 3 common traits.
The shapeshifter or shadow.
Common Traits of the Shadow Archetype:
Hidden motives or secret identity – they often hide their true intentions.
Untrustworthy or deceptive – they may pretend to help but have their own agenda.
Opposes the hero – creates conflict and tests the hero’s growth.
Represents fear, darkness, or inner conflict – often symbolizes what the hero must overcome.
Can change sides or manipulate others – sometimes appears friendly before revealing true colors.
How does the weather in a story (like storms, snow, or sunshine) help set the mood, reflect a character’s emotions, or symbolize challenges they face?
Weather in a story often does much more than describe the environment...it can set the mood, reflect a character’s emotions, or symbolize challenges or conflict.
List at least 3 Key Features of the Hero’s Journey.
Bonus 100 Points: name all 5 features.
Key Features of the Hero’s Journey
Call to Adventure -the hero leaves their ordinary world.
Rising Action. Characters face challenges that help them grow.
Climax / Final Showdown - The hero confronts the main challenge or antagonist.
Falling Action. Consequences.
Return / Resolution - The hero comes back changed or victorious.
Why did a Cheeto (yes, a Cheeto!) sell for nearly $90,000 in March?
Bonus 100 Points: Give another example of something ordinary that turned into something extremely valuable.
A single Flamin’ Hot Cheeto, nicknamed "Cheetozard" was sold for its uncanny resemblance to the Pokémon Charizard.
It was sold at an auction for nearly $90,000. Originally purchased for $350, the unique and fragile snack was protected in a custom "impenetrable" case before its sale, becoming the most expensive food item ever sold by the auction house, Goldin.
Why is the glass slipper in Cinderella considered a symbol instead of just a shoe?
It represents her identity, uniqueness, and worth and it solves the main conflict.
If a character breaks an archetype, what does that usually do for the story?
100 Bonus Points: Give an example of a a character who breaks an archetype.
If a character breaks an archetype, it usually surprises the audience, challenges expectations, and adds depth or complexity to the story.
It can make the story feel more realistic or modern, showing that people are not always “typical” heroes, villains, or mentors.
Nick Wilde (Zootopia)
Bellwether (Zootopia)
Choose a setting from any story and explain how it acts like a character itself.
Does the setting create challenges or obstacles for the characters?
Does it influence the characters’ choices or actions?
Does it change over time or react to what’s happening in the story?
Does it have a “personality” or mood that affects the story?
In Hansel and Gretel, the forest acts like a character because it challenges the children, shapes their journey, and influences their emotions, just as a living character would.
The different districts in Zootopia act like characters because they actively shape the story, influence behavior, and reflect social dynamics, almost as if the city itself has intentions.
Why do you think stories across different cultures use similar plot archetypes?
Reasons for Similar Archetypes
Universal Human Experiences
Shared Themes and Lessons
Memorable and Relatable Storytelling
Cultural Connection
What was the most dangerous sport of 2025?
Gloving LOL