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.