The MIDAS Project: Supported by the Science Education Partnership Award Program of the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health (Grant No. R25 RR018634)

The Hero Archetype This is the pattern all heroes in fiction (and sometimes non-fiction) follow. Stanley from Holes is an unlikely hero but he follows all parts of the hero archetype.

Archetype NOUN:1. An original model or blueprint after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype

1. The Unusual Birth This is something out of the ordinary about the hero’s birth. It may be circumstances surrounding the birth, a particular place of birth or something unusual about the hero’s family.

Unusual Birth: Fiction Harry Potter Harry Potter’s parents were wizards who are killed by the evil wizard Voldemort shortly after his birth. Stanley Yelnats Stanley’s parents were poor. His family is cursed because his great-great grandfather, Elya Yelnats, broke a promise to a gypsy which affects every aspect of Stanley’s life.

2. The Separation The hero is separated from his or her parents and is raised or looked after by others (often a stranger). Sometimes this separation is caused by the villain’s actions. Childhood is often difficult or traumatic.

The Separation: Fiction Harry Potter After Harry’s parents are killed, Harry is raised by his aunt and uncle, The Dursleys, who hate him. Stanley Yelnats Stanley is accused of a crime he did not commit and was sent to Camp Green Lake where life is miserable.

3. The Call The Call is a crisis or other event that leads the hero on a quest or a journey. The hero is often reluctant to begin the quest due to a variety of reasons. This is sometimes a “change of life”, or epiphany, moment for the hero.

The Call: Fiction Harry Potter Harry’s situation changes when receives a letter inviting him to attend Hogwarts and he learns that he is a wizard. Stanley Yelnats Stanley is called to action when his friend Zero runs away and he overhears the counselors talking about destroying his file and letting him die.

4. The Quest or Journey A quest is a journey with a specific goal in mind. Sometimes the goal of the journey is not defined. Either way this time is usually filled with a series of challenges for the hero to overcome.

The Quest: Fiction Harry Potter Harry is trying to keep Voldemort from killing him or hurting the ones he loves. Eventually Harry learns of a prophecy that says either he or Voldemort must perish in the end. Stanley Stanley wants to save Zero and prove that he is innocent.

5. The Strength This is an unusual power that the hero has over others. This can be either physical or mental. Sometimes the strength is a special weapon that has special value to the hero.

Strength: Fiction Harry Potter Harry Potter is a wizard (which is not unusual in his world) but he is somehow immune to the powers of Voldemort. He also has the special Marauder’s Map and the invisibility cloak. Stanley Stanley has nothing to lose. He has strong moral character and is a loyal friend.

6. The Weakness The hero usually has some vulnerability that causes him or her problems during the journey. Sometimes the weakness is caused by the same thing that caused the separation and can be either internal or external.

The Weakness: Fiction Harry Potter Harry is young and inexperienced. His scar becomes a window between his mind and Voldemort’s. He has difficulty living up to the high expectations people have of him. Dumbledore also keeps many secrets from him that Harry has to figure out difficult tasks on his own. Stanley Stanley is young and inexperienced. He is out of shape and has low self-esteem. He has no direction in his life.

7. The Advisor This is a person that assists the hero during the journey or quest. The advisor is older and wiser and often they are supernatural beings. Often the advisor only appears when help is needed but in other cases the advisor is with the hero throughout the journey.

The Advisor: Fiction Harry Potter Harry Potter turns to his Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore in times of need. Stanley Stanley is guided by the stories of his great- grandfather, Stanley Yelnats I, who survived for many days on the same mountain.

8. The Villain This is the person who attempts to stop the hero from completing the tasks in the quest. The villain is often responsible for the demise of the hero’s parents. Sometimes the villain is part of the hero’s family. In some cases, there are many villains or the villain takes on many forms.

The Villain: Fiction Harry Potter Voldemort is Harry’s main enemy but he takes on many different forms. Harry has minor villains as well such as Draco Malfoy and Severas Snape. Stanley Stanley has to fight the legal system, the camp counselors (especially Mr. Sir) and the elements.

9. The Atonement This is a reconciliation with the hero’s lost family or rights the wrongs that occur early on in the story. Sometimes the hero learns the truth about something and often this is revealed by the villain during his demise. In some stories the hero is reunited with his family or this is the time where the hero attains his/her ultimate goal.

The Atonement: Fiction Harry Potter Harry is reunited with his parents and other parental figures in spirit several times before the end of the story. Stanley Stanley is reunited with his parents after the curse is broken. Stanley breaks the curse by fulfilling his great-great- grandfather’s promise when he saves Zero

10. The Reward This is when the hero is recognized and rewarded for completing the journey. Sometimes this occurs after the hero’s death or in his absence.

The Reward: Fiction Harry Potter Harry Potter completes a mini-quest in each book but also finishes the main quest by beating Voldemort in the last book. Stanley After the curse is broken, Stanley and Zero find the treasure and are released from Camp Green Lake, Stanley’s father solves his invention problems, and the camp counselors are arrested.