THE HERO’S JOURNEY

How To Recognize Your Hero …

There will be an unusual circumstance at birth 1. Parentage There will be an unusual circumstance at birth

The hero has a guide, mentor, or friend who is integral to his journey 2. Guide/ Friend The hero has a guide, mentor, or friend who is integral to his journey

3. Pursues a goal/quest where the fate of many is affected

4. Hero must go on a journey

5. Trip to the Underworld/ Darkness

6. Danger is involved

7. Success

7. Special Qualities

8. Weakness

Similar to an Epic A long, narrative of the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of great importance. Tone: Elegiac- Mourns for past

Tolkien’s Stories

Tolkien’s Influences Medieval historian Linguist Loved Beowulf Believed in Mythology of story-telling

World Wars I and II Soldier for Britain in World War I Sees horrors of War Begins Simarillion while recovering from Trench Fever

Symbolism not that easy Some want to over-simplify Tolkien’s work by making Sauron a Hitler or the Ring an atomic bomb. Devastation and evil of war is directly symbolic, according to Tolkien himself.

Industrialization/ Pollution Post-Industrial Revolution= effects of pollution, factories, and urban living Hobbits= Harness Nature Elves= Harmonize with Nature Sauron / Orcs= Destroy Nature for their own gain

Mythology/ Archetype Novel connects to Beowulf Spiritual and Physical conflicts to be overcome

External Evil- Book 1 Book 1 shows the level of evil that must be conquered by physical force for Middle Earth to be saved.

Internal Evil- Book 2 This story explores the internal evil that must be conquered by spiritual heroism Book 3- Solves both conflicts

Heroism Defined The hero must conquer both the external evil as well as defeat his inner demons to be successful. (a la Beowulf) Tolkien includes elements of the hero story like descent into underworld, weakness, and so forth.

The Journey Tolkien taps into the ancient pattern of the journey, too. Hint: The journey is more than just completing a mission (Think Odyssey)

Mythology of Middle Earth Magical, yet familiar

Use of Songs and Poems Connects current action with ancient legend Adds weight to current events- epic in magnitude

Connection to the Anglo-Saxons? Use of Family History Great families are established and followed Names sound familiar so can add to confusion (Boromir/ Faramir= brothers) Connection to the Anglo-Saxons?

Use of Runes/ languages Magical- create spells/ heal Practical- send messages Monumental- record achievements/ events Decorative- used on swords/ rings

Familiar objects paired with exotic objects= Setting Middle Earth Familiar objects paired with exotic objects= Magic!

THEMES TO BE EXPLORED

POWER AND ITS CORRUPTING INFLUENCE

Our relationship to Nature

Quest/ Journey

Fellowship/ Fraternity