Jack Arnold is representative of the patriarch archetype in the role of the providing figure for the family that he undertakes, the values he instills in his household and the authority he maintains when faced with conflict.

In the show Jack Arnold is first described as very tense. Kevin as the narrator’s first sentence on his father was “Dad had a Spartan sense of language.” showing his father’s role in the family even before he spoke a full sentence. Kevin still as the narrator, later explains “Dad always said "hi" to our friends, but it was like he had this understanding with the family - he worked hard for us, he provided for us, and he certainly didn't want to have to talk to us on top of that.” Finally, Mr. Arnold’s conservative viewpoints are revealed as Karen his eldest child nonchalantly tells him “I’m gonna get some birth-control pills. I thought you should know” and he responds with clear anger in his voice and banging the table with his fist. In just the first scene, Jack Arnold’s role as the family patriarch is established. From the description by Kevin, we first see Jack Arnold as a man of few words and someone who is sternly disciplined. In this way, the traits characterise his personality as the man of the house.