Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Hero's Journey in... Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Step 1: The Ordinary (Known) World (Pre-Journey) Harry thinks he's just a regular guy! Nothing ever changes.

Step 2: Call to adventure! Harry’s world is thrown in imbalance by the arrival of a Hogwarts letter. He is made aware of an injustice in his life.

Step 2.5: Refusal of the Call

Step 3: Threshold Jumping off point! Often must pass by “guardians” of the threshold: things/people that protect us from unknown until we are ready. Like parents… Helper(s) appear

Step 4: Challenges & Temptations/Road of Trials Harry must pass several trials to get to the room with the philosopher’s stone. These trials can be physical, mental, or emotional.

Step 5: Abyss Harry faces off with Voldemort. Hero faces the greatest challenge of the journey, must overcome greatest fears, and must face them alone. If hero fails or has a fatal character flaw…

Step 6: Transformation/Rebirth Paradigm shift and acceptance of new reality Some bad quality dies and hero is “reborn” with new strength. Harry wakes up in the Hospital Wing having learned he has the courage he needs and has personal worth.

Step 6: Atonement/Reward Transformation complete, the hero now must accept his new self. Imbalance that set him on the journey is resolved—harmony restored. Until next time!!! Hero receives a boon based on new skills or awareness (stronger or smarter, etc.)

The Return Begin contributing to society with new skills. How can I go back when I’m so different? Few possible outcomes…

So what? Why study the Journey?