Hero Journey Analysis By Catherine Chang

The Ordinary World This is the hero’s home environment where his friends and family are located. This is where the hero feels comfortable. In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Frodo’s ordinary world is the Shire. He feels very comfortable and safe there.

Call to Adventure This is where there is an awakening to an unknown world. The hero is forced to leave. When Gandalf gives Frodo the Ring, it cannot stay in the Shire so he is forced to leave.

Refusal of the Call This is when the hero refuses to leave the ordinary world. There is no refusal of the call.

Supernatural Aid Supernatural aid can come in the form of a protective figure such as an elder. It represents the forces of the unconscious at the hero’s side. There are many supernatural aids throughout the movie: Gandalf the wizard, magic of the elves, the Fellowship of the Ring helping Frodo along the way, and Gollum leading Frodo and Sam.

Crossing the Threshold This is where the hero wanders into an unknown world and meets some dangerous presence. Frodo puts on the Ring for the first time and sees The Eye of Sauron.

In the Belly of the Whale This is a realm of darkness where the hero goes inward in order to be reborn. Frodo knows he should not put the Ring on but still continues to, which shows he is slowly giving in to the dark side.

The Road of Trials The hero experiences miraculous tests. The hero finds parts of himself he was unaware of and understands it. Frodo begins to use the Ring to make himself invisible from enemies.

The Meeting with the Goddess The Goddess offers promise of perfection and represents what can be known. The hero witnesses all that can be accomplished, and the Goddess encourages the hero to continue. Frodo meets Galadriel and she tells him that he is the only one that can accomplish this task.

The Woman as the Temptress The woman is evil, has an anti-life attitude, and may lead the hero astray. Boromir tries to take the Ring from Frodo. He tries to trick him into thinking that the whole world will become evil.

Atonement with the Father Father symbolizes judgment and the hero overcomes fear and judgment. The hero shows growth and ability to take on adult responsibilities. Frodo decides to go to Mordor by himself until Sam follows him. Frodo showed that he was not afraid to go on alone.

Apotheosis The hero recognizes the “big picture” and becomes free from all fear, beyond the reach of change. Sam tells Frodo that they need to fight for the little amount of good that is left in the world. He realizes that many people have their own journeys, and this one was his.

The Ultimate Boon The hero partakes in the substance that makes his mind/body imperishable. The hero receives the prize that he/she has been after. Frodo finally reaches the fires of Mt. Doom and throws the Ring into the lava where it was made.

Refusal of the Return This is where the hero should bring back their wisdom to their kingdom. The hero often wants to be in isolation with his boon. Frodo and Sam think they are not going to have a journey back to the Shire. They believe that they were going to die on their journey to save the world.

Magic in Flight (Chase) The hero has the reward and must return to safety. There may be forces still working against him/her. After the Ring is destroyed, Mt. Doom explodes and Frodo and Sam are trapped around lava and fire.

Rescue from Without The world might have to retrieve the hero, and the hero loses and then regains his ego. Gandalf had to rescue Frodo and Sam from Mt. Doom after it had exploded.

Crossing the Return Threshold The world and the hero has changed. The hero must survive the impact of the world. Frodo is different when he returns to the Shire. He understands more of the world and that everyone has a role in the world. He does not tell anyone in the Shire about his adventure.

Master of Two Worlds The hero has gained wisdom in both the spiritual world and conscious world. The hero gives up all attachments to his hopes and fears. Frodo returns to the Shire knowing that the whole world is now safe, while the people around him have no idea what has happened in the world.

Freedom to Live The hero understands that every creature lives on the death of another. The hero learns never to be afraid of the next moment, he has learned “to be” (exist). Frodo knows his time is up and leaves on the ships into the west.