An Archetypal Story

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The Hero's Journey
An Archetypal Story
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Archetype A pattern, such as a type of
character or type of story, that is repeated in
literature.
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The heros journey is one of the oldest story
archetypes on the planet.
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Some say its older than the Pyramids
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And Stonehenge
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And even cave drawings. (Vogler)
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The components of the heros journey were
identified and developed by Joseph Campbell, who
was the worlds foremost authority on mythology.
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In his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces,
Campbell asserted that all storytelling follows
the ancient patterns of myth, and
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that all stories use elements of the Heros
Journey. Campbell called this archetype
a Monomyth.
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George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, consulted
with Campbell while writing the scripts for the
first Star Wars trilogy.
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The function of the story is to entertain, to
instruct, and to inspire.
The heros journey is a metaphor for life itself.
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Part I Departure
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Breaking away from the old life
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A. The Call to Adventure
The hero is invited to leave a mundane life and
seek adventure.
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Odysseus is called to fight the Trojan War
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Pinocchio wants to become a real boy.
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Dorothy wants to leave Kansas.
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B.
The Refusal of the Call
The hero has second thoughts adventure looks too
risky.
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Dorothy runs back to the farm and Auntie Em. A
storm is brewing.
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Luke Skywalker doesnt have time for the
adventure - he has to help his Uncle Owen on the
moisture farm.
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C. Supernatural Aid
The hero receives a gift to help on the journey.
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The ruby slippers
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A conscience
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Luke receives his lightsaber from Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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D. Crossing the First Threshold
The hero leaves the old world behind and enters
the new.
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Dorothy is carried away to Oz by the tornado.
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Luke Skywalker leaves his home on Tatooine.
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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.
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For some, the belly of the whale experience is a
situation in which the hero feels trapped.
Luke, Han, and Leia trapped in the garbage
compactor.
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Luke Skywalker trains with Yoda in a whale-like
house.
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While on Yodas planet of Dagobah, Luke enters a
whale-like cave and must face his own potential
for evil, which is personified by Darth Vader.
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The message is that we all have a shadow self and
must deal with it at some point in our lives.
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Part II Initiation
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During the Initiation phase, the hero learns
how to live in the new world.
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A. The Road of Trials
A series of tests, tasks, or ordeals (often in
sets of three) that the hero must undergo to
begin the transformation. In The Wizard of Oz,
Dorothy must first navigate the dangers of the
Yellow Brick Road before she can get to her
ultimate goal.
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B. Meeting with the Goddess
A wise or magical woman gives guidance or advice
to the hero.
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C. Temptation
Someone or something tempts the hero to leave the
true path to his goal. Luke is tempted by the
Dark Side of the Force Frodo is tempted to keep
the ring for himself Circe the witch tries to
keep Odysseus on her island.
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D. Atonement with the Father
The hero resolves his/her issues with a parent
figure. This often comes in the form of the
hero confronting and dealing with a personal
demon.
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E. Apotheosis
(from Greek roots meaning from God) The hero
recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of
divinity within. The hero becomes godlike by
performing a miracle or accomplishing something
no one thought possible.
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I am a Jedi, like my father before me!
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No!
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But youve always had the power to go home!
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F. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his/her mission.
Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witchs
broom.
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F. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his mission.
Luke destroys the Death Star.
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Part III. The Return
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A. Refusal of Return
The hero wonders if its possible to return to
the old life now that so much has changed. How
can I go back?
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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.)
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Theres no place like home.
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C. Rescue from Without
The hero escapes with a little outside help.
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Deus ex Machina (God in a machine)
Dodge this!
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D. Crossing the Return Threshold
Finally, the hero returns to Kansas.
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E. Mastery of Two Worlds
The hero has resolved both the internal and the
external conflicts. S/he is wiser and more
confident.
The hero realizes that s/he can be at home in
two worlds.
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F. Freedom to Live
Having faced evil - both from within and without
- the hero is free from powerlessness and fear.
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Common Mythic Elements
Like the inevitable chase scene in action films,
this monomyth contains some standard features.
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The Young Hero who yearns for adventure.
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Two worlds
The Mundane
And the Fantastic
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The Mentor who trains the hero in special skills.
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The Oracle
A wise - almost omniscient - seer who guides the
hero.
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Failed Hero
The guy who didnt make it.
In Memory of Biggs Darklighter
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The Shape Shifter
An archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous or
shifting loyalties.
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The Prophecy
A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is
expected to fulfill.
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Wearing the Enemys Skin
The hero must disguise himself as the enemy.
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Why?
The monomyth of the heros journey helps us
answer the most profound questions of the
universe.
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Why
am I here? is there suffering?
What
is the meaning of life?
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Profound from the Latin profundus,
meaning just before the bottom or at the
edge of death. (Brennan)
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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)
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We are all heroes on our separate journeys
and our mission is to make the world a better
place.
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References Brennan, Kristen. Star Wars Origins.
1999-2001. Jitterbug Fantasia.
lthttp//www.jitterbug.com/ orgins/myth.htmlgt 20
Sept. 2002. Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a
Thousand Faces. New York Mythos Books, 1949.
Vogler, Christopher. The Writers Journey.
2002. Michael Weiss Productions.
lthttp//www.mwp.com /pages/bookswritourmore.htmlgt
20 Sept. 2002.
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Written and produced by Mollie Kelleher
Teacher of English Longmont High School St. Vrain
Valley School District
Adapted and edited by Steve Porentas Teacher of
EnglishBear Creek High SchoolJefferson County
School District
What it Is Written performed by Mark Knopfler
MMII
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Follow your bliss. - Joseph Campbell