The Heroic Quest Myths and Archetypes

Myth About Myths What is a myth anyway?? Stories that explain the universe and the human experience -> give meaning to life Themes include creation, immortality, heroes, supernatural in the natural

Why do we read and write myths? Haven’t You Ever Wondered… Where did the universe come from? How did we get here? Why are we here? Why is the world the way it is? What is life all about? What happens after you die? People want answers to the Timeless questions

What do these characters have in common?

What is an archetype? An archetype is a plot, character, symbol, or idea that recurs in the literature or mythology of many different cultures across the world. The Hero Quest is one type of archetypal plot. All societies have similar hero stories not because they coincidentally made them up on their own, but because heroes express a deep psychological aspect of human existence. They can be seen as a metaphor for the human search of self-knowledge.

What is a Hero? Heroes are a small part of a culture's mythology. They have been useful for thousands of years to the people for whom they serve as an idealized human, a sort of "super" person, capable of dealing with problems that surpass normal humans and their abilities.

Literature and Society Heroes contribute to the society's necessary business of reproducing itself and its values. Example of a modern hero performing this social conditioning is Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. Luke affirms our belief in the power of mankind over technology's "evil" invasion of our world. Computers were beginning to become fairly common in the late 1970's, and many people had anxieties about their dominance in society; hence, the hero is refashioned into a triumph of human spirit over technology's evil plans.

Traits of the Archetypal hero Unusual Circumstances of birth Often in danger or Born in royalty Leaves family and lives with others Raise away or separated from home Traumatic event leads to quest Special weapon leads to quest Super natural help

More on Heroes Usually on a journey to obtain something of great value. Encounters obstacles that test his or her character. The hero often needs the help of others or has to experience some great sacrifice on the journey Hero often goes into a hell like area, suffers a wound and battles with evil. Hero’s quest symbolizes the larger journey of life.

12 Steps of the journey Heroes are introduced in the ORDINARY WORLD, where They receive the CALL TO ADVENTURE. They are RELUCTANT at first or REFUSE THE CALL, but  are encouraged by a MENTOR to CROSS THE FIRST THRESHOLD and enter the Special World, where they encounter TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES. They APPROACH THE INMOST CAVE, crossing a second threshold where they endure the ORDEAL. They take possession of their REWARD and are pursued on THE ROAD BACK to the Ordinary World. They cross the third threshold, experience a RESURRECTION, and are transformed  by the experience. They RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR, a boon or treasure to benefit the Ordinary World. 

Introduce Author/ Background Eudora Welty 1909-2001 Born in Jackson, Mississippi Attended Mississippi State and Colombia University (NY) Unable to find a job During Great Depression (1931) Returned home Traveled State interviewing real people who inspired her stories.