Sources of Light Reading Response II

In the book, Sources of Light, I noticed that there are six character Archetypes.  Star-crossed Lovers, Mother figure, Mentor, Trickster, Scapegoat and the Shapeshifter.  The Star-crossed lovers are Samantha and Stone, the Mother figure is Samantha's mother, the Mentor is Perry, the Trickster is Samantha's grandmother, the Scapegoat(s) are African-Americans, and lastly, the Shapeshifter is Willa Mae.

The Star-crossed Lovers are Samantha and Stone because Samantha is poor while Stone is rich.  Neither of their parents really accepts their love for each other although they really do love each other.  There is one part of the book where Samantha is about to kiss Stone, but then is stopped by her mother when they are at the school dance.

The Mother figure is Samantha's mother because she teaches Sam what is right and what is wrong.  She really gives her opinion to Sam.  She also gives Sam a lot of advice and tips.  One example is when she says to Sam that what most white people do to black people is wrong and it's not about what they look like, but who they are as a person. However, I can understand that she is best at being a Mother figure because she is always there for Sam who does not always make mature decisions.

The Mentor is Perry because he gives Sam the camera that she then uses to inspire her. She then does so many things that are new to her all because of that camera and him.  One example is when Samantha did a project on the "Essence of Louisiana" and she gets a poor grade even though she deserved to get a higher score.  Perry then tells her, "That teacher doesn't know what she is talking about.  Who is she to even be a teacher with her kind of opinion?”

The Trickster is Samantha's grandmother because she is very funny and is a silly lady. She makes everyone laugh and smile.  A tease she says about the KKK is, "What idiot decided to take a white blanket and poke two holes through it, that's a ghost not a racist group uniform."

The Scapegoat(s) are African-Americans because they are not treated equal and are definitely mistreated.  They are always accused and blamed, even for things that they clearly did not do.  One part in the book is when some black people go into a diner and are eating, but it is not what they call a colored diner (it's strictly for white people only).  A few white men come in and start a fight and one man takes salt and pours it right on a black woman's head.  The lady just kept on ignoring him and pretended that he wasn't pouring salt on her.

The Shapeshifter is Willa Mae because she changes from a shy, quiet, but independent woman to a very outgoing, brave, strong woman when she needs to be. For example, she talks back to a white woman about how she is not going to be treated like a slave, but then becomes quiet when the authorities arrive.

In conclusion, these are the character Archetypes I have noticed in the story.  I think that these characters fit perfectly with the Archetype that they are.  Together they all work to make the entire story interesting and believable.