The Hero’s Journey Basic Framework

Overview of The Hero’s Journey The Hero’s Journey is a pattern identified in stories by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in lots of different kinds of stories. It describes the typical adventure of the “The Hero,” the person who goes out and achieves great deeds for his or her group, tribe, or civilization.

Part 1: The Departure The protagonist/main character is separated from the known and steps into the unknown.

Part 2: The Initiation By crossing the threshold, the protagonist's world is changed forever. A mental journey merges with the physical journey to result in a spiritual revelation of purpose and self.

Part 3: The Return Through the main character/protagonist's ultimate sacrifice of self, he or she walks in an enlightened state.

So What . . . You will see different versions of The Hero’s Journey in most of the stories we read and view this school year. It is our task to read, write, and think about them in these stories and also in your own Hero’s Journey, your navigation through this school year!