Hero's Journey Notes PDF
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Ralston Valley High School
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This document provides an overview of the hero's journey, a common narrative archetype in literature and storytelling. It discusses the elements of the hero's journey, including the call to adventure, refusal of the call, supernatural aid, crossing the first threshold, and others, with examples taken from various popular films..
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An Archetypal Story Archetype: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of story, that is repeated in literature. The hero’s journey is one of the oldest story archetypes on the planet. The components of the hero’s journey were identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who was...
An Archetypal Story Archetype: A pattern, such as a type of character or type of story, that is repeated in literature. The hero’s journey is one of the oldest story archetypes on the planet. The components of the hero’s journey were identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who was the world’s foremost authority on mythology. In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell asserted that all storytelling follows the ancient patterns of myth, and … …that all stories use elements of the Hero’s Journey. Campbell called this archetype a Monomyth. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, consulted with Campbell while writing the scripts for the first Star Wars trilogy. There are two kinds of Often has a remarkable heroes. childbirth. May be the offspring of both mortals and 1) THE MYTHIC immortals May be unaware of their HERO… origins and raised by foster parents. They are special: they may possess superhuman strength or supernatural powers. 2) THE FOLKTALE ○ Is an ordinary person. ○ Is sometimes a step-child or HERO… neglected younger child who is scoffed at by parents and other siblings. ○ Does not have superhuman abilities, but he/she is special in other ways: may They are both called be incredibly kind, clever, to go on an resourceful, courageous, etc. adventure. The function of the story is to entertain, to instruct, and to inspire. The hero’s journey is a metaphor for life itself. Part I: Separation Breaking away from the old life A. The Call to Adventure The hero is invited to leave a mundane life and seek adventure. Moana feels “a call” from the ocean Elsa hears a voice calling to her B.The Refusal of the Call The hero has second thoughts; adventure looks too risky. Moana’s original boat tips over so she has to turn back. Elsa at first refuses to listen to the voice. C. Supernatural Aid The hero receives a gift to help on the journey. Moana receives the heart of the ocean D. Crossing the First Threshold The hero leaves the old world behind and enters the new. Andy and Buzz are trapped in the claw machine Moana makes it past the reef Harry Potter takes the Hogwarts Express. E. The Belly of the Whale Like Jonah and Pinocchio, the hero experiences the “dark night of the soul” and must face his faults and the truth. For some, the belly of the whale experience is a situation in which the hero feels trapped. Ana stuck in the cave after Elsa freezes This is the low point of the journey, where the hero feels scared and overwhelmed. Moana must face her fears in the Realm of the Monsters The message is that we all have a shadow self (dark side) and must deal with it at some point in our lives. Part 1 KAHOOT Part II: Initiation During the “Initiation” phase, the hero learns how to live in the new world. A. The Road of Trials The hero learns that life in the world of adventure can be difficult by facing a series of tasks or challenges. Moana must get Maui on her side, stealing Maui’s hook back from Tamatoa, beating the Kakamora, and learning to sail Mulan must go through training. B. Meeting with the Goddess A wise or magical woman gives guidance or advice to the hero. C. Battle with the Dragon The hero must confront and vanquish a malevolent being. Someone or D. Temptation something tries to distract the hero from his goal. This is often love, money, or the comfort of going home and abandoning the goal. Ana is sometimes distractracted by Kristoff Simba enjoys his carefree life with Timon and Pumba E. Atonement with the Father The hero resolves his/her issues with a parent figure. Simba realizes he is not responsible for his father’s death and he must make his father proud. F. Apotheosis (from Greek roots meaning “from God”) The hero recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of divinity within. I AM MOANA!! “Let it Go!” I am a Toy! G. The Ultimate Boon The hero succeeds in his/her mission. It may be symbolic rather than physical. Woody returns back to Andy Anna saves Elsa and they bond Moana restores Te Fiti’s heart Simba defeats Scar and returns order to the kingdom. Part III: The Return A. Refusal of Return The hero wonders if it’s possible to return to the old life. “How can I go back?” Elsa stays in the Enchanted Forest B. Magic Flight Upon deciding to return home, the hero must “flee” from yet another danger. (Here, “flight” refers to fleeing, not flying, though sometimes flying is involved.) Austin Powers and James Bond always escape just before the bad guy’s hideout self-destructs. C. Rescue from Without The hero escapes with a little outside help. Maui helps Moana Sail back D. Crossing the Return Threshold Finally, the hero returns to “Kansas.” Moana returns to her island Woody is back with Andy E. Mastery of Two Worlds 1) The hero realizes 2) S/he is wiser that s/he can be and more at home in confident. two worlds. Simba becomes King over all Moana becomes a creatures. wayfinder F. Freedom to Live Having faced evil - both from within and without - the hero is free from powerlessness and fear. Scar is defeated and Simba is free to raise his own family in peace. Elsa feels free and herself in the enchanted forest and to visit and maintain a relationship with Anna Common Mythic Elements Like the inevitable chase scene in action films, this monomyth contains some standard features. The Young Hero who yearns for adventure. Two worlds: The Mundane And the Fantastic The Mentor who trains the hero in special skills. The Oracle A wise - almost omniscient - seer who guides the hero. The Prophecy A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is expected to fulfill. Failed Hero The guy who didn’t make it. Wearing the Enemy’s Skin The hero must disguise himself as the enemy. The Shape Shifter An archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous or shifting loyalties. Why? The monomyth of the hero’s journey helps us answer the most profound questions of the universe. Profound: from the Latin “profundus,” meaning “just before the bottom” or “at the edge of death.” (Brennan) Why… … am I here? …is there suffering? What……is the meaning of life? “A hero is someone who reaches the edge of death, steals a piece of magic, then brings the magic home to share with his community.” (Brennan) We are all heroes on our separate journeys and our mission is to make the world a better place.