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Introduction to the Monomyth

Is there a collective human subconscience? Why do the same archetypes occur in the

myths, legends, and dreams of people separated by geography, language, and eventime?

Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist, believed archetypes exist as reflections of the human

mind. Perhaps all human groups seem to share universal archetypes because we all

share a common human experience. This would account for the recurrence of universal

concerns like "Why am I here?," "What is the meaning of life?," or even "How can I find

happiness?"

The term monomyth, as used by Joseph Campbell in The Hero With a Thousand Faces,

refers to "one story" that all cultural groups seem to share regarding a hero's journey.

Numerous authors and scholars analyze and apply the monomyth to literature and film of

the modern era. Our exploration of the monomyth and analyses of its application to

various works will focus on simplified version of the hero's journey:

1. Unusual birth circumstances (royalty, danger, orphan, etc.)

2. Call to Adventure (which the hero initially resists)

3. Appearance of Mentor or other helper

4. Test/Challenge in which the hero proves his/her worth under the guidance of the

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But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Turn this sheet over and let's examine the hero's

journey in a modern film (The Matrix) and a classic Greek myth (Perseus).

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Stages of the Hero's Journey The Matrix Perseus1. unusual birth circumstances At first we do not learn the true

nature of Neo's birth, but later we find

out that Morpheus believes that Neo

is "the chosen one." By the way,

"neo," which means "new," is also an

anagram of "one."2. call to adventure Neo receives a message via his

computer to "follow the white rabbit,"

which is a reference to one of Alice's

guides in Through the Looking Glass.

3. appearance of mentor Trinity is actually only a "helper"

archetype. Morpheus fits the

"mentor" archetype.

4. guided test/challenge Neo and Morpheus battle in the

matrix.

5. solo battle Neo finally fights Agent Smith without

assistance and without running away.

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6. return Neo and his crewmates prepare for a

triumphant return to Zion.