Context for J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit The Heroic Journey Context for J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit  

The Big Idea Humans need heroes to show pathways to success Brainstorm a list of heroes (either real or fictional). In what ways have these heroes helped people find success?

Joseph Campbell (1904 – 1987): Title of major study on hero’s journey: The Hero with a Thousand Faces Speculate on the meaning of the title. Why must a hero have multiple faces?

The Hero with a Thousand faces Traces the story of the hero’s journey through virtually all the mythologies in the world, revealing one archetypal hero in them all = the monomyth In narratology and comparative mythology, the monomyth, or the hero’s journey is the common template fo a broad category of tales that involve a hero going on an adventure, and in a decisive crisis wins a victory, and then comes home changed or transformed.

Campbell’s conclusion: Human beings all want and need the same things, and our heroic stories reflect this need. Do you agree or disagree with Campbell’s conclusion?

Unit Focus: Analyze Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, using Joseph Campbell’s model of the hero’s journey

The Hero’s Journey: Three stages Departure Initiation Return 

Departure – 5 parts: The call to adventure The refusal of the call Supernatural aid The crossing of the first threshold The belly of the whale

Initiation – 4 Parts The road of trials The ultimate boon Atonement with the father Apotheosis

Return (May include one or more) The magic flight Rescue from without The crossing of the return threshold Master of the two worlds Freedom to live

Departure: The call to adventure An unexpected world is revealed, drawing the hero in. The world may be revealed accidentally, through mistake, or even through something eye-catching. A messenger appears, calling the hero to adventure Adventurous destination of both treasure and danger is always a place of changing beings, unimaginable torments, superhuman deeds, and impossible delight -- it’s exciting The force to attend becomes so strong that the summons cannot be denied. The hero seems to outgrow the old life; the time for moving on is at hand

Departure: The Refusal of the Call The hero tries to ignore the call and pursues other interests. By refusing the call, the hero makes the adventure seem negative. Life begins to feel meaningless. The hero digs deep to find secret reserves of courage, often in response to a predicament following the initial refusal. Ultimately, the hero goes forth willingly on the adventure.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapters 1 – 2. Using either your blue Post-its or a blue highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “The Call to Adventure”. Using either your yellow Post-its or a yellow highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “The Refusal of the Call”.

Departure: Supernatural Aid The hero encounters a figure who provides the adventurer with protective amulets against evil fairy lore = a little fellow of the wood, an old crone, some wizard, hermit, shepherd, or smith who appears to supply the amulets and advice the hero will require higher mythologies = great figure, a teacher, a ferryman, a conductor of souls to the underworld Each supernatural event represents the protecting power of destiny – reassurance that all will be OK in the end.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapters 3 - 7. Using either your green Post-its or a green highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “Supernatural Aid”.

Departure: The crossing of the first threshold The hero crosses a threshold (figurative doorway) into the unknown, darkness, and danger. The hero becomes like an infant beyond parental watch, crossing the boundary beyond the protection of society. The regions of the unknown (woods, desert, jungle, deep sea, alien land, etc.) are filled with deceitful and dangerous presences not experienced in the normal world. The crossing of the threshold is the first step toward self-understanding, yet the action is tremendously risky – often life or death.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapter 8. Using either your pink Post-its or a pink highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “The Crossing of the First Threshold”.

Departure: The belly of the whale Some time after crossing the threshold, the hero, instead of conquering of giving in, is swallowed, unknown, and would appear to have died. The passing of the threshold is a possible life sacrifice, making the hero a new person. After shedding fear of sacrifice, the hero is free to pass back and forth across the horizons of the world, traveling in and out of space and/or time.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapter 9. Using either your orange Post-its or an orange highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “The Belly of the Whale”.

Stage 2: Initiation, The Road of trials The hero moves through a landscape in which places and life forms are strange and unknown. The hero must survive a series of increasingly difficult tasks. The hero is assisted by the advice, amulets (good luck tokens), and secret agents of the supernatural helper. A chance is provided for the hero to purify the self and think about salvation. The hero must be willing to put aside pride, virtue, beauty, and/or life.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapter 10 - 16. Using either your blue Post-its or a blue highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “The Road of Trials”.

Initiation: The ultimate boon The final heroic task is usually accomplished with great ease, signifying the hero as a superior man – a born king. The ultimate boon is the ultimate treasure won by the hero. The boon can only be received by the hero after all personal limitations are gone.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapter 17. Using either your yellow Post-its or a yellow highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “The Ultimate Boon”.

Initiation: Atonement with the father The hero must reconcile with a “father” figure who has been an opposing figure. The father can be a figure whom the hero has loved or even hated.   This coming together after complete self-sacrifice is called atonement = “at onement”.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapter 17. Using either your yellow Post-its or a yellow highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “Atonement with the Father”.

Initiation: apotheosis The hero transcends to a place of bliss. In a more ordinary sense, it is a period of rest and fulfillment before the hero begins the return.

Stage three: The Return (may include one or more) The Return: The adventurer must return with the life-changing trophy (boon). Refusal of the Return: The hero might not want to share the boon. The Magic Flight: Sometimes the hero must escape with the boon, if it is something that the gods have been jealously guarding. Rescue from Without: The hero is aided on the journey home by supernatural forces. The Crossing of the Return Threshold: The hero brings the prize and stories of wisdom from the journey back home. Master of Two Worlds: The hero is able to live in the material and spiritual worlds. Freedom to Live: The hero does not fear death, but lives in the moment.

Application to The hobbit Read Chapter 19. Using either your pink Post-its or a pink highlighter, identify places in the chapters that are clear examples of “Apotheosis” and/or “The Return”.