THE HERO’S JOURNEY · •Symbol of ideals and values of the community and/or culture. •Learns...
Transcript of THE HERO’S JOURNEY · •Symbol of ideals and values of the community and/or culture. •Learns...
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
DESCRIPTION OF THE HERO
• Can be “honorable,” “brave,” or “strong,” but not necessarily
• No specific look, thought, or behavior for a hero.
• Symbol of ideals and values of the community and/or culture.
• Learns something significant about
the world.
• Gains self-knowledge during
journey and shares that info with
others upon return.
UNUSUAL BIRTH
• Unusual circumstances surrounding his/her birth.
• Often born to royalty or a god/goddess.
• Sometimes in danger at birth, so disguise is necessary.
• Examples:
• Jesus Christ
• Voldemort
CALL TO ADVENTURE
• Journey usually begins with a traumatic event leading to need or desire to leave home.
• May refuse to leave at first, but then convinced, tricked, or forced to do so.
• …Or may leave willingly.
• …Or may begin journey on accident.
• Examples: • Luke Skywalker leaves when his aunt and uncle are killed
and follows Princess Leia’s distress message.
• Mulan leaves willingly to battle invaders.
SUPERNATURAL HELPER
• Aided by someone old and wise, often with magical or mystical power.
• Guide or mentor for hero.
• Examples:
• Rafiki for Simba
• Ben Kenobi for Yoda
TALISMAN OR SPECIAL WEAPON
• Given a useful weapon or protective device.
• Supernatural helper may be the one to give the hero this item or tell the hero about it.
• Example:
• The sword, Excalibur, is King Arthur’s talisman.
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD
• Leaves the familiar, safe world
he/she knows and fully enters
a new world.
• Examples:
• Luke Skywalker experiences aliens and creatures at Mos Eisley.
• Mulan pretends to be a boy to enter an all-male army camp.
TRIALS
• Has a series of trials to challenge him/her and build moral strength and character.
• Often includes a descent into the underworld, which can involve an untreatable wound.
• Examples:
• Shrek has to defeat the dragon
to save Fiona.
• Hercules has 12 famous trials
during his journey.
ACHIEVEMENT OF GOAL
• Achieves ultimate goal of journey.
• Goal can be an object, a conceptual task (destroy the Empire
and Death Star), or knowledge or state of being.
RECONCILIATION WITH A
FATHER-FIGURE
• If there was conflict with
the hero’s father, healing
must occur.
• Examples:
• Simba is reassured by
the starry figure of Mufasa.
• Luke removes Darth Vader’s
mask.
RETURN HOME
• The hero crosses the threshold and returns home, either willingly or unwillingly.
• Brings new wisdom and cultural values back to the community.
• Example:
• Simba returns to Pride Rock with moral leadership to bring the land back to health.