The Hero’s Journey

 Have you taken care of your $4 class fee and getting your syllabus and reading letter signed?

 A character, object, or pattern of events that occurs universally in literature  from the Greek arche (original) and typos (form or model) = original model

 The circle = an archetype for the unbroken cycle that is life  Heroes, villains, protagonists, antagonists = archetypes in literature  5 Stages of the Hero’s Journey = archetype for the hero’s adventure

Stage of Journey Where Stage Appears in Short Story Call to Adventure HelpersUmbrella she uses as a cane Crossing the Threshold Shadow Presence Crossing the log bridge Tests Supreme Test Reward Return

Stage of Journey Evidence from Story Call to Adventure Helpers“She carried a thin, small cane made from an umbrella, and with this she kept tapping the frozen earth in front of her” (Welty 1). Crossing the Threshold Shadow Presence “ ‘Now comes the trial,’ said Phoenix” (Welty 1). Tests Supreme Test Reward Return

 Go back to the story and look for quotes that support the 5 stages of the journey that you’ve identified  Copy the words and phrases from the story onto your handout

 “…I go on another trip for the soothing medicine.” Analysis:  She’s just a common woman without a lot of education, but she continues to make this trip for her grandson sake.  She’s unselfish. Helpers: “She carried a thin, small cane made from an umbrella.” Analysis: Makes good use of her resources even though she doesn’t have a lot of money.

 “now comes the trial.” Analysis:  Her age is an issue.  Because this is not a trip she makes daily, this part is dangerous.  Shadow Presence: Her age! “I wasn’t as old as I thought.”  Crossing the threshold gave her a sense of confidence

 “there she had to creep and crawl, spreading her knees and stretching her fingers like a baby trying to climb steps.”  “… And then he laughed and lifted his gun and pointed it at Phoenix.” Analysis: Author is stereotyping her because of her age.  Supreme Test: “It was my memory had left me. There I sat forgot why I made my long trip” Analysis: Her old age and the difficulty of the trip made her forget why she came.

 “the doctor said as long as you came to get it you can have it”  Analysis: The trip was worth it because it allowed Phoenix’s grandson to live

 “Here’s a nickel”  “Then her slow step began on the stairs, going down”  Allowing her grandson to live

 As you watch the 20-minute movie, look for the 5 stages of the hero’s journey  Add to your list of textual evidence if you see anything you missed while reading Click here to watch video