chemistry

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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 Separation
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Breaking away from the old life
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1. 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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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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.
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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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1. The Road of Trials
The hero learns that life in the world of
adventure can be difficult.
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2. Meeting with the Goddess
A wise or magical woman gives guidance or advice
to the hero.
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3. Battle with the Dragon
The hero must confront and vanquish a malevolent
being.
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4. Temptation
Someone or something tries to distract the hero
from his goal. Circe the witch tries to keep
Odysseus on her island.
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5. Atonement with the Father
The hero resolves his/her issues with a parent
figure.
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6. Apotheosis
(from Greek roots meaning from God) The hero
recognizes his/her true identity - that spark of
divinity within.
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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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7. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his/her mission.
Dorothy returns to Emerald City with the witchs
broom.
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Luke destroys the Death Star.
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Part III. The Return
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1. Refusal of Return
The hero wonders if its possible to return to
the old life. How can I go back?
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2. 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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3. Rescue from Without
The hero escapes with a little outside help.
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Deus Ex Machina Literally, God in the machine
Dodge this!
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4. Crossing the Return Threshold
Finally, the hero returns to Kansas.
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5. Mastery of Two Worlds
The hero realizes that s/he can be at home in
two worlds.
S/he is wiser and more confident.
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6. 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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The Prophecy
A legend or ancient prophecy that the hero is
expected to fulfill.
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Failed Hero
The guy who didnt make it.
In Memory of Biggs Darklighter
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Wearing the Enemys Skin
The hero must disguise himself as the enemy.
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The Shape Shifter
An archetypal friend or enemy with ambiguous or
shifting loyalties.
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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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Adapted from a presentation written by Mollie
Kelleher
Longmont High School St. Vrain Valley School
District
and Matthew Opal Silver Creek High SchoolSt.
Vrain Valley School District
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Follow your bliss. - Joseph Campbell