The Hero's Journey

 

“To translate knowledge and information into experience: that seems to be the function of literature and art.” 

                            ― Joseph Campbell, The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life & Work



“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”  
-Christopher Reeve-

The Hero’s Adventure Basic Recipe

Here is a basic recipe to demonstrate how the Hero’s Adventure plays out. This is a template you can apply to your own work-in-progress—you might be surprised by how closely it matches elements you already have in play.
  • A messenger comes. The messenger might be human, or a message might come from an experience—like a brush with death or a dream. At any rate, something has gone wrong; the natural order of the world has been disturbed.
  • A problem is presented. Perhaps something has been taken away from the tribe, or some misfortune or malfeasance has occurred.
  • Someone is marked out as the person to solve this problem. She is chosen according to some past deed of her parents or by her own reputation or happenstance. This person, of course, emerges as the hero at the end.
  • A challenge takes shape. The challenge may be refused, at first. “No way, I’m not going to risk my neck for that!”
  • A refusal, often. But eventually, the hero decides to accept the challenge. She might even be forced to accept it by circumstances.
  • The challenge is accepted. The adventure begins.
  • The hero leaves the familiar world. And she sets off into another world. It’s dangerous. The hero could use some help, and very often …
  • Helpers materialize. A helper might have special skills the hero doesn’t have, or he might have special insights or wisdom, in which case he takes the form of a mentor.
  • Setbacks occur. The hero is tested, she makes gains, she endures setbacks, she fights for what is right, she resists evil. The going’s tough!
  • The hero regroups and gains some ground again. Maybe she needs another visit to a mentor, or maybe she makes a personal breakthrough and overcomes a great inner obstacle, perhaps her own fear.
  • The foe is vanquished or the elixir is seized. Eventually, she defeats the foe or comes into possession of something that will restore the natural order—a cure, or new knowledge that will bring justice or the return of prosperity.
  • The hero returns to the familiar world. And the problem is fixed, or justice is done. The natural order is restored.
The person who accepts the challenge and prevails is elevated to a special position, somewhere above human, somewhere below god. She is the hero.
The Hero’s Adventure at Work
Famous stories from King Arthur and Excalibur to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to The Little Engine That Could to Harry Potter are based on the Hero’s Adventure. Let’s look at a concrete example from a well-known source: the Sherlock Holmes story “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
  • A messenger comes. Holmes and Watson are hanging out in the familiar world of 221B Baker St. when a young lady comes calling.
  • A problem is presented. The young lady tells Holmes that her sister has died under strange circumstances, and she now fears for her own life.
  • Someone is marked out as the person to solve this problem. Knowing of Holmes’ reputation, the young lady asks him for help.
  • A challenge takes shape. Holmes asks many questions and perceives the seriousness of the situation.
  • A refusal, often. Holmes rarely refuses a challenge, though he has been known to be reluctant at times. In this case, Holmes senses great urgency, so he doesn’t waffle.
  • The challenge is accepted. The adventure begins.
  • The hero leaves the familiar world. Holmes sets off from 221B Baker St. and enters the busy, raucous streets of London, thence to a creepy old mansion in the country. It’s dangerous. The hero could use some assistance.
  • Helpers materialize. And guess what? He’s got Watson at his side! Much investigation occurs, with progress, and then …
  • Setbacks occur. Things go wrong, problems turn out to be more difficult than anticipated.
  • The hero regroups and gains some ground again. After a nail-biting, death-defying climax, Holmes prevails, discovering a deadly plot and a bizarre method of murder. The perpetrator is killed by the very method he had used to kill another.
  • The foe is vanquished or the elixir is seized. Holmes and Watson wrap up the case for the local police and return to their flat in London.
  • the Hero returns to the familiar world. And we feel secure because we know justice has been done; the killer cannot kill again. The natural order
    is restored.
Read or watch practically any good, successful story you will find similar story bones. This is not by accident. Good writers have instincts for such things. We sharpen our instincts by studying and by writing.
Stan Lee - think butts in seats rather than turning pages

Like he says, "You just have to keep interesting yourself while you are writing it."


Here is a Star Wars example
This is my favorite example and description of HJ

FOR TUESDAY
Take a show or a movie you like (or want to see) and overlay the journey on it. 
Where do you see the different aspects come to pass? 

Instructions
1. Both write and draw out the motion of the hero's journey for your analysis. 
2. You can draw on your iPad or you can draw in your sacred notebook. 
3. Do a deep analysis and see what you discover. 
Here is a worksheet that can help you. 
This worksheet asks you specific questions about the story. 

4. Use pictures from the internet, use dialogue to explain, use your own words, and make a visual and word document. You can just draw in your notebook or iPad and then write in Google Docs. 
5. Take a picture of your circle and anything else you have drawn or written and post it in the 
Week 10 folder. 
6. Please have this uploaded to the Drive no later than midnight Monday, Oct 26.

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