1. In Search of Heroes…

2. Eight Stages of The Epic Hero’s Journey a.k.a. Your Life’s Journey

3.  It is the pattern of the human experience  Every challenge we face is part of our life journey  It is the process of self-discovery  Knowledge of the “Journey” pattern can help up us understand the stories we read, the movies we watch, and the experiences that shape our own lives

4. In the Beginning... The hero is born a noble being The hero is born a noble being Or born of “unusual” circumstances Or born of “unusual” circumstances Or achieves greatness early Or achieves greatness early

5. The journey is divided into 3 stages 1. Separation (from the known world) 2. Initiation (and Transformation) 3. The Return (to the known world)

6. TThe Call – The invitation into the adventure FFace the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value MMay come boldly as a sudden change or gradually TThe Call may take many forms SSomething is lacking or missing, personally, that must be sought after TThe hero wants to save or restore honor to self, family, or country SSome part of the society has been restricted from their rights and the hero must fight for restoration

7.  The Threshold: The jumping off point  Interface between the known and unknown world  In the known world, we feel secure because we are familiar with the rules and landscape  The unknown world is filled with challenges and dangers  Threshold Guardians  People, beings, or situations which block passage  Threshold Guardians have 2 functions  Keep the hero from taking journeys for which he is unprepared  Once the hero claims “I am ready; I can do this,” the guardians step aside and point the way

8. HHelpers PProvide assistance or direction OOften bring us a divine gift to help us through the ordeal MMentor TThe most important person encountered on the journey KKeeps the hero focused on the goal and provides stability

9.  The hero sets out with blind faith to fulfill his calling.

10. 3. The Challenges: Journey into the Unknown ► Once past the Threshold, the hero begins the journey into the Unknown. ► The voyage can be outward into the physical unknown, or inward into the psychological unknown

11. Challenges and Temptations The early challenges are simple. By meeting them successfully, the hero builds skill, strength, confidence, and maturity Later tests become more difficult, forcing the hero to change and grow Tempters try to pull the hero from the path, using fear, doubt, or distraction They may pretend to be a friend They strike at the hero’s greatest weakness

12. Someone to Love Sometimes the hero finds love along the way...

13.  When the hero reaches the abyss, he meets his greatest challenge  The hero completely surrenders to the adventure  The hero must face his fear alone  The hero will face his darkest hour...

14. The Final Battle At the lowest point, the hero will engage in one last great battle to determine his fate. At the lowest point, the hero will engage in one last great battle to determine his fate.

15. 5. Transformation: Death and Rebirth As the hero conquers the Abyss and overcomes fear, the transformation becomes complete As the hero conquers the Abyss and overcomes fear, the transformation becomes complete There is a moment of death and rebirth There is a moment of death and rebirth –A part of the hero dies so that a new part can be born

16. 6. Revelation: Changes A sudden, rapid change in the way the hero views life A sudden, rapid change in the way the hero views life The change in thinking is crucial because it makes the hero a different person The change in thinking is crucial because it makes the hero a different person

17. 7. Atonement: “Oneness” After transformation, the hero becomes “at one” with himself through Atonement After transformation, the hero becomes “at one” with himself through Atonement The hero incorporates the changes caused by the journey and rebirth The hero incorporates the changes caused by the journey and rebirth The hero is in harmony with the world and himself The hero is in harmony with the world and himself

18. 8. THE RETURN: “Welcome Home” The hero returns to everyday life The hero returns to everyday life The hero discovers a new gift he now possesses The hero discovers a new gift he now possesses The hero returns to give gifts to the society The hero returns to give gifts to the society The return may not always go smoothly or lead to a “happily-ever-after” ending The return may not always go smoothly or lead to a “happily-ever-after” ending

19. Which of These Epic Hero Tales Do You Know? The Epic of Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh The Iliad The Iliad The Odyssey The Odyssey The Aeneid The Aeneid Beowulf Beowulf The Ramayana The Ramayana The Gospel of Jesus Christ The Gospel of Jesus Christ Star Trek Star Trek Star Wars Star Wars The Lord of the Rings series The Lord of the Rings series The Harry Potter series The Harry Potter series Chronicles of Narnia series Chronicles of Narnia series The Matrix series The Matrix series Boyz in the Hood Boyz in the Hood The DaVinci Code The DaVinci Code Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God The Hunger Games The Hunger Games

20. What have we learned? What have we learned? Journey gives you means for understanding Journey gives you means for understanding Journey is a pattern that we follow in our own lives Journey is a pattern that we follow in our own lives Our adventure opens the doors to knowledge and understanding Our adventure opens the doors to knowledge and understanding Our journey can help us achieve wisdom, growth, and independence Our journey can help us achieve wisdom, growth, and independence

21. Congratulations... You are ready to begin your life’s journey!

22.  Ms. Walton  Washington Preparatory High School  AP English Literature  World Literature The End