A Hero’s Journey What constitutes a journey? What are the stages of a journey?

The Pattern of Human Experience Review heroic traits and journeys as discussed Friday. (See your summaries) Review heroic traits and journeys as discussed Friday. (See your summaries) Free Write: What is a journey you’ve been on? Free Write: What is a journey you’ve been on? We see the idea of a journey reflected everywhere- comedies and tragedies We see the idea of a journey reflected everywhere- comedies and tragedies What was the end result of your journey? What was the end result of your journey? Did you undergo a change or transformation? Did you undergo a change or transformation? Did the “heroes” we discussed in class last time also undergo a transformation, the old ways of thinking altered Did the “heroes” we discussed in class last time also undergo a transformation, the old ways of thinking altered

What are the stages of this pattern or archetype? Archetype: a pattern found throughout literature Archetype: a pattern found throughout literature The journey: a process of self-discovery The journey: a process of self-discovery As we discuss, think of examples from stories, movies, and your own life. As we discuss, think of examples from stories, movies, and your own life. Remember- although there are 8 steps, as individuals vary, so does the individual journey. Remember- although there are 8 steps, as individuals vary, so does the individual journey.

Section One: steps 1-2 Separation (from the known) Separation (from the known) The Call (an invitation/ an opportunity to face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value) Do we always willingly accept “the call”? What are some reasons we may receive “the call”? The Call (an invitation/ an opportunity to face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value) Do we always willingly accept “the call”? What are some reasons we may receive “the call”? The Threshold (with guardians, helpers, and mentor) (once called to the adventure we must pass over the “The Threshold”. This is a “jumping off point” or the line crossed from the known world to the unknown world. What happens if we get to a threshold and we are unable to cross? Who or what has stopped us from crossing? Do we always initially know how to get through the threshold? The Threshold (with guardians, helpers, and mentor) (once called to the adventure we must pass over the “The Threshold”. This is a “jumping off point” or the line crossed from the known world to the unknown world. What happens if we get to a threshold and we are unable to cross? Who or what has stopped us from crossing? Do we always initially know how to get through the threshold?

Section Two: steps 3-7 Initiation and Transformation Initiation and Transformation The Challenges The Challenges The Abyss The Abyss The Transformation The Transformation The Revelation The Revelation The Atonement The Atonement

Challenges (step 3) Can be both physical or psychological (as is the nature of a journey: literal or figurative.) Can be both physical or psychological (as is the nature of a journey: literal or figurative.) Also form of temptations Also form of temptations Early challenges tend to be relatively easy. By meeting them successfully, we build maturity, skill, confidence. Early challenges tend to be relatively easy. By meeting them successfully, we build maturity, skill, confidence. As the journey continues, the challenges escalate in difficulty level. This forces us to change and grow. As the journey continues, the challenges escalate in difficulty level. This forces us to change and grow. One of our greatest tests is often to differentiate real helpers from TEMPTERS. (pull us away, use fear, doubt, or distraction, and pretend to be a friend/ helper) One of our greatest tests is often to differentiate real helpers from TEMPTERS. (pull us away, use fear, doubt, or distraction, and pretend to be a friend/ helper)

Into the Abyss The greatest challenge of the journey; so great that we must surrender ourselves completely to the adventure and become one with it. The greatest challenge of the journey; so great that we must surrender ourselves completely to the adventure and become one with it. We face our greatest fear, and we must face it alone. We face our greatest fear, and we must face it alone. This is where we “slay the dragon” This is where we “slay the dragon” If we fail, unless we set off to try again, our life becomes a bitter shadow of what has been. If we fail, unless we set off to try again, our life becomes a bitter shadow of what has been.

Section Three: step 8 The Return (to the known world, but with a new…) The Return (to the known world, but with a new…) The Return (with a gift) The Return (with a gift)