The Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey Archetype An archetype is a character, symbol, story pattern, or other element that is common to human experience across cultures For example, the innocent, the Mother Figure, or the Hero The archetype of the Hero’s Journey describes a plot pattern that shows the development of a hero

Examples of Archetypes In Mythology: Gods Explanations for nature In Literature or Movies: Star-crossed lovers Damsel in distress Heroes vs. Villains Orphan turned Hero Hero’s Journey

Stages of the Hero’s Journey Stage 1: Departure 1) The Call to Adventure 2) Refusal of the Call 3) The Beginning of the Adventure Stage 2: Initiation 1) The Road of Trials 2) The Experience with Unconditional Love 3) The Ultimate Boon Stage 3: Return 1) Refusal of the Return 2) The Magic Flight 3) Rescue from Without 4) The Crossing or Return Threshold

Stage 1: Departure The journey begins in the ordinary world The journey begins in the ordinary world

Step 1: The Call to Adventure The future hero is first given notice that his or her life is going to change The future hero is first given notice that his or her life is going to change

Step 2: Refusal of the Call The future hero often refuses to accept the Call to Adventure. The refusal may stem from a sense of duty, an obligation, a fear, or insecurity The future hero often refuses to accept the Call to Adventure. The refusal may stem from a sense of duty, an obligation, a fear, or insecurity

Step 3: The Beginning of the Adventure Alice This is the point where the hero actually begins the adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are unknown. This is the point where the hero actually begins the adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are unknown.

Stage 2: Initiation

Step 4: The Road of Trials The road of trials is a series of tests, tasks, or challenges that the hero must undergo as part of the hero’s transformation. The hero usually fails one or more of these tests, which often occur in threes. The road of trials is a series of tests, tasks, or challenges that the hero must undergo as part of the hero’s transformation. The hero usually fails one or more of these tests, which often occur in threes.

Step 5: The Experience with Unconditional Love During the Road of Trials, the hero experiences unconditional love and support (physical and/or mental) from a friend, mentor, or family member. This love often drives the hero to continue on the journey, even when the hero doubts him/herself. During the Road of Trials, the hero experiences unconditional love and support (physical and/or mental) from a friend, mentor, or family member. This love often drives the hero to continue on the journey, even when the hero doubts him/herself.

Step 6: The Ultimate Boon The goal of the quest is achieved. The boon can be a physical object or an intangible item such as knowledge, courage, or love. The Road of Trials makes the hero strong enough to achieve this goal. The goal of the quest is achieved. The boon can be a physical object or an intangible item such as knowledge, courage, or love. The Road of Trials makes the hero strong enough to achieve this goal.

Important to Note: The Call to Adventure (what the hero is asked to do), the Beginning of the Adventure (what the hero sets out to do), and the Ultimate Boon (what the hero achieves) must all connect. The Call to Adventure (what the hero is asked to do), the Beginning of the Adventure (what the hero sets out to do), and the Ultimate Boon (what the hero achieves) must all connect.

Stage 3: The Return

Step 7: Refusal of the Return When the goal of the adventure is accomplished, the hero may refuse to return with the boon or gift, either because the hero doubts the return will bring change, or because the hero prefers to stay in a better place rather than return to a normal life of pain and trouble. When the goal of the adventure is accomplished, the hero may refuse to return with the boon or gift, either because the hero doubts the return will bring change, or because the hero prefers to stay in a better place rather than return to a normal life of pain and trouble.

Step 8: The Magic Flight The hero experiences adventure and perhaps danger as he or she returns to life as it was before the Call to Adventure. The hero experiences adventure and perhaps danger as he or she returns to life as it was before the Call to Adventure. This step is similar to The Road of Trials. This step is similar to The Road of Trials.

Step 9: Rescue from Without Just as the hero may need guides and assistance on the quest, oftentimes he or she must have powerful guides and rescuers to bring him or her back to everyday life, especially if the hero has been wounded or weakened by the experience. Just as the hero may need guides and assistance on the quest, oftentimes he or she must have powerful guides and rescuers to bring him or her back to everyday life, especially if the hero has been wounded or weakened by the experience. Sometimes, the hero does not realize that it is time to return, that he or she can return, or that others are relying on him or her to return. Sometimes, the hero does not realize that it is time to return, that he or she can return, or that others are relying on him or her to return.

Step 10: The Crossing or Return Threshold At this final point in the adventure, the hero must return the wisdom gained on the quest, integrate that wisdom into his or her previous life, and perhaps decide how to share the wisdom with the rest of the world. At this final point in the adventure, the hero must return the wisdom gained on the quest, integrate that wisdom into his or her previous life, and perhaps decide how to share the wisdom with the rest of the world.

The Elements of Plot Development

Exposition: Events that set the context for the story: the setting (time and place), characters, and central conflict are introduced Rising Action: Events that develop the plot and lead to the climax Climax: The main event; the turning point, or highest point of tension in the story Falling Action: The events that lead to the resolution Resolution: Conflict is completely resolved and the lesson has been learned