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Heroes Final Paper

Professor Scudder
25 April 2013
Gabriella Blanco
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a cult classic television show created by Joss Whedon. The
show lasted seven seasons, and aired from 1997 to 2003. The show revolves around a collection
of characters, with Buffy Summers being the primary protagonist. Buffy's journey as a hero
corresponds with Joseph Campbell's theory of the monomyth. Buffy's seven-season adventure
manages to hit each point on the three sections. Focusing on all several seasons centering Buffy,
specifically the very first and last episodes of the series in which clearly signify the beginning
and end of Buffy's journey. However, plot points, episodes, and seasons in between are essential,
and will still be referenced. Buffy the Vampire Slayer revolves around a teenage girl named
Buffy who has been appointed as the Vampire Slayer. The show focuses on her and her friends as
they battle evil, as well as every-day problems that occur naturally with growing up. The show
has a special place in many hearts because of its ability to address real life problems with ease
and comedy in supernatural contexts.
There is only one slayer at any given time. When a slayer dies, another one is appointed
to replace them. Slayers are chosen at random, and are always females. Slayers are deeply rooted
in history, and existed since the beginning of time. Slayers are placed on the world to battle
vampires, as well as any other forms of evil that pray on innocent individuals. Although the show
gives the impression that it's solely about vampires, Buffy battles alternative forms of demonic
presences often, and fiercely. The first season is the only season to have the over-arching bad guy
be a vampire. In all the rest of the seasons, the "Big Bad" was an assortment of creative

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characters and villains.
Vampires are also very specific to the world that Whedon created for them. Like in most
tales, Vampires are unable to step into sunlight or they burn to death. Crosses and holy water are
also harmful to vampires. In order for an individual to be turned into a vampire, they have to be
drunk, and drink some of the vampires blood in return, which is why most victims are just eaten.
Vampires also have to be invited in, which is consistent throughout the series, although they are
often clever with talking themselves in. Vampires also retain the same personalities as when they
were alive, albeit lacking a soul. This allows them to do awful things to people they loved when
they were alive. There are only two cases when vampires gained souls, and they are exhibited
through both of Buffy's love interests: Angel and Spike.
There is an excess of demon activity in Sunnydale, the town Buffy recently moved to,
because of it's location in relation to the Hellmouth. This dimension connects the world to the
underbelly of hell, and allows demonic beasts to easily travel over. The Hellmouth also attracts
vampires and evil spirits, which explain why the Slayer is located in that area. It is later found
out that the Hellmouth is actually located directly under the schools Library, which is the
primarily meeting ground for the gang.
The beginning of the show, especially the pilot really emphasizes Buffy's journey, or
more so, her refusal of the call, which ends up lasting almost the entirety of season one.
Campbell believed that the first step of the heros journey is referred to as "Separation and
Departure". Since the pilot of the show jumps right into the action, viewers miss witnessing "the
Call to Adventure" until close to the end of season two. "Refusal of the Call" is the next step in
the heroes' journey, and is extremely evident all throughout the pilot, and most of season one.
Buffy's first on-screen appearance is marked with her experiencing a nightmare (S1E1).

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It's Buffy's first day at a new high school, already putting the character outside of her comfort
zone. It becomes increasingly evident that she's trying to start with a fresh slate, demonstrated
through the conversation she first holds with Principle Snyder (S1E1). It is implied that the
reason Buffy is starting at a new school is "vampire" related. Buffy is shown as trying to hide
something, although it's unclear to the audience until Buffy enters the library, later on in the
episode. This is a pivotal scene, and marks the introduction of the character Giles, as well as
expresses Buffy's adamant refusal of her call.
Giles is a very important character to both Buffy's journey, and to the series as a whole.
Giles eventually becomes Buffy's father figure, and his influence on her is prominent. Giles is
also a watcher, to Buffy being the slayer. Watcher's have a very specific role in a Slayer's life,
and they are trained how to best prepare the slayer to fight various forms of evil. They are
supposed to maintain a professional and not personal relationship, however Giles is unable to
make that distinction, clearly emotionally attached to Buffy.
When Buffy enters the library, she is unaware the Giles is a watcher or that her "Slayer
issue" followed her into Sunnydale, her new town. Giles knows who exactly she is, and
enthusiastically pulls out a book called "Vamprye" (S1E1). Buffy leaves the library instantly, and
says, "That's not what I'm looking for" which is her first public denial of her fate. This however
is just the first of many examples of Buffy refusing her destiny as the slayer. She removes herself
from the situation, which becomes a theme. As strange things continue to occur, Buffy finds
herself unable to ignore the feeling that she should be doing something. Like most heroes, Buffy
realizes that she is the chosen one, and the only one who is able to prevent these awful
massacres, despite her personal feelings towards the task.
Buffy finds herself drawn to the library once more, just to inform Giles her lack of

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interest in being the slayer, demonstrating her inability to stay away from her calling. However,
by the end of the first episode, Buffy temporary stops refusing her calling in order to save her
new friends lives. This illustrates natural hero qualities in Buffy as her need to save others
overwhelms her own personal feelings and safety. This episode also marks the introduction of
the Master, who is the number one Big Bad in season one. Season ones structural format is filled
more consistently with Monster of the Week type episodes, while every season has one overarching Big Bad villain. As the series progressed, the Monster of the Week episodes become
more rare, with each episode contributing to the overall plot as well as featuring individual
scares.
A big theme of these beginning episodes other than Buffy's hesitance is the isolation and
loneliness that comes with being the slayer. Buffy consistently has to hide powers, and her slayer
tasks. She is unable to share the truth with anyone, including her parents and peers. The real
world isn't supposed to know of these evil things, and most often then not, refuses to believe. The
notion of true isolation accompanying the role of being the slayer is a consistent theme
throughout all seven seasons. However, by the end of the second episode, Buffy is able to
confide in her new friends: Zander and Willow. Together, the three of them with Giles begin to
form what is known as "the Scooby Gang". The Scooby Gang grows throughout the series, and
help Buffy with the inevitable loneliness that comes with being the slayer as well as helping to
defeat evil. Also, by the second episode, it becomes very clear that Buffy is the only one able to
prevent the harvest, which is the first big massacre to happen on the show. In most journeys, the
hero is often the only one who has the ability to save the world.
The call to action doesn't really occur until season two when the story begins to revolve
strongly around Angel, having an episode almost mostly in his point of view, predominately

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flashbacks. Angel is an essential character to the beginning arc of Buffy, and has a constant effect
on her emotions, behaviors, and motivations throughout the entire series. Angel is a vampire with
a soul, and the only one at that until Spike in season seven. Having a soul makes Angel differ
strongly from all other vampires because he is able to feel guilt, and other human emotions that
the dead lack. Angel gained a soul as a form of punishment for being one of the worst, malicious
vampires. Gypsies cursed him, after he sired one of their own. After gaining a soul, Angel was
unable to kill humans without overwhelming guilt. Through a flashback in Angel's eyes, we see
him starving in the streets until witnessing Buffy's call to action, which encouraged him to
change. Angel's destiny is essentially forever changed because of the very moment that Buffy's
destiny calls to her. Buffy wasn't given a choice to cross the threshold, and instead was forced
across it, although she continually refused the call much throughout season one. Buffy is seen as
ditzy, superficial, and mean until her call of action. She was approached by an older stranger, and
informed of the importance of her role on the world. It was from there that Buffy learned what
being the slayer mean, whether or not she wanted to.
Buffy's supernatural aid changes throughout the series. One of Buffy's supernatural aids
is her power as the slayer. They are granted with super strength, speed and recovery. Another
supernatural aid of Buffy is Willow, once she becomes experimenting with magic, starting
mostly in season four. The final supernatural aid of Buffy's would be Giles, because he is her
mentor. He leads her throughout the series, briefly leaving for portions of late season six and
early season seven in order to help further Buffy's growth on her journey. Although Giles is
merely human, he uses his books and intellect of the other world to be the working equivalent of
magic.
Buffy crossing the threshold can be seen in two different points. There is when Buffy is

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unwillingly thrown across the threshold, and then when Buffy chooses to accept her fate and
crosses the threshold with free will. It is shown that Buffy is originally pushed across the
threshold when she is forced to battle vampires within hours of finding out life changing
information about her future. Later in the series, Buffy shares that she had to be hospitalized for a
bit because she was traumatized with her first interactions with the vampires (S6E17). This only
proves Buffy's strength, when she decides to fully accept her fate.
The season one finale concludes the first third of Buffy's heroic journey. By this episode,
Buffy has essentially given in to the idea of being the Slayer. She has battled multiple different
forms of demons, and has had more experiences with the demonic forces. Her friends are
supportive, and helpful and the gang has grown with an addition of Ms. Calendar, and
occasionally Cordelia. It is in this episode, that Buffy's fate is announced. There is a prophecy
that declares that Buffy will be killed at the hands of the master. Although at this point, Buffy has
mostly accepted being the slayer, however, when she finds out that she is to die, she is unable to
handle the information. Initially, she breaks down emotionally, and claims defeat. She flees the
scenario, much reminiscent of the first episode, and repeatedly quits being the slayer. "Giles, I'm
16 years old, I don't want to die" (S1E12). Later, once Willow is traumatized by a recent vampire
attack, Buffy realizes that she is unable to ignore her fate, or else her friends lives are in danger.
Instead of running away from her fate, Buffy accepts that she might have to die in order to save
mankind. Giles tries to prevent her from doing so, but Buffy punches him in the face in order to
guarantee that nothing will stop her from trying to defeat the Master. When she goes after the
Master, Buffy is willingly crossing the threshold, and putting her life on the line as she accepts
her role as Slayer. Ultimately, the Master does kill her, like the prophecy predicts. Buffy, thanks
to Zander, is revived through CPR, and is stronger and more motivated than ever. When Buffy is

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reawaken from her first death marks the Belly of the Whale. Buffy is fully emerged in the story,
and is one hundred percent the slayer. She is no longer refusing her call, and instead very
willingly faced her greatest fear and put her life on the line.
The next section of Joseph Campbell's three-part journey is "Trials and Victories of
Initiation". This portion is mostly addressed between the entireties of season two to season five.
Buffy experiences the road of trials throughout the series. She is consistently being battled, and
has saved the world on numerous occasions. The Roads of Trials is extremely evident in the
episode "Helpless" (S3E12). In this particular episode, the Watchers council without warning
tests Buffy. Giles tricks her, and poisons her so that she becomes weak and lacks her slayer
powers. Buffy if unaware of why this is happening, and naturally begins to freak out. Meanwhile,
an especially vicious vampire was brought into town just for this test. Buffy has to essentially
defeat the vampire without any of her slayer abilities, which is almost impossible. The vampire
escapes, and kidnaps Buffy's mother, forcing Buffy onto the battlefield. Using wit, Buffy defeats
the vampire. This is a very important trial because Buffy proves herself as the slayer, and also
stood up for herself against the council. After the "test" Giles is fired for becoming too close to
Buffy and for telling her about the test, while Buffy disassociates herself from the council and
tells them that what they did was wrong.
Buffy meets with the goddess unintentionally during the finale of season four. Prior to the
episode, Buffy and her palls had used spiritual powers to call upon forces to help them defeat the
current big bad. The finale of season four is primarily taken place during dream state, and is a
psychoanalysts playground. Each character has their own interpretive dream, all essentially
running away from something. It isn't until the end of the episode that we meet the primitive,
who is also the goddess. Being the slayer is a completely feminine thing, and dates back to the

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beginning of time. Since there were vampires, there were slayers. The primitive is the very first
slayer. She doesn't speak, and instead communicates through Tara. She is very angry at Buffy
because of her friends helping her battle evil. The primitive explained that it's important that the
Slayer is alone and isolated. Buffy, on the other hand, disagreed and yelled at the primitive
explaining that they are two different beings. They fight as Buffy tells the primitive that she
doesn't matter because she's not the source of her. By Buffy denying the primitive, and going
towards her friends has saved her life numerous times throughout the series. It's one of the
aspects that make Buffy so powerful and strong. Woman as temptress is also the primitive for the
reasons states above. They fight, and then stop suddenly. Buffy rejects the primitive, and takes
control of her own slayer power. This is the moment in the series when Buffy starts to make her
own rules when it comes to being the slayer.
Buffy's atonement with her father is complex. Her real father is already out of the picture
after the divorce, and is constantly flaking on Buffy. Giles is predominately Buffy's father figure
throughout the show. The main authority in Buffy's life is also the Watcher's council, where Giles
originates. By the end of season three, Buffy is no longer connected to the Watcher's council. She
has dropped their rules, and decided to save the world in her way and under her demand, which
turned out to be ultimately a very successful choice. In the "Helpless" episode mentioned earlier,
Buffy stands up against both Giles and the Watcher's council. After she found out that Giles
poisoned her, and didn't tell her, she lost all respect for him and leaves immediately. She also
persistently told the Watcher's council off during the aftermath of the horrid test. After Giles gets
fired, Buffy forgives him, and the father-daughter connection is rekindled once more. Their
family-like relationship is mentioned and referred to all throughout the series.
Buffy reaches apotheosis during the season five finale, when she dies once more in order

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to save her sister, a newly introduced character. Buffy accepts her fate calmly, knowing that she
is doing exactly what she has to. In the circumstance, the only way to avoid an apocalypse would
be for either Buffy, or her younger sister to jump into the void and ultimately die. Buffy, being
the hero, knew instantly that this was her task. As the primitive told her earlier in season four
"Death is your gift". Buffy realizes in this moment, that her death is a gift to the entire world,
because it will save humanity. Buffy jumps to her death with no fears and calmly.
The ultimate boon for Buffy is death after jumping to save the world. When Buffy is
dead, she is floating happily in heaven, and has reached ultimate peace. Buffy no longer has to
worry about death or destruction, and is finally calm and at rest. Buffy describes heaven as a
wonderful experience, which is why it makes it so much rougher for her when she is pulled back
into humanity.
The third section of Campbell's monomyth is the "Return". The first step is the "Refusal
of the Return", which is illustrated when Buffy is forced back alive. Her friends were under the
wrong assumption that she was dead and stuck in some demon hell, whereas in reality, she was
happily enjoying peace in heaven. Buffy didn't get a chance to refuse, although she exhibits
unhappiness as a result for much of season six and seven. She is a changed person clearly
because of her second experience dead. Buffy's magic flight takes place in the beginning of
season six, when her friends do a spell that resurrects her and brings back to life. This experience
was extremely traumatic, because her pals didn't account for the fact that she was buried
underground. Buffy had to gnaw and claw her way out of her grave six feet under, which is a
very huge contrast from her ultimate boon, which was floating happily in heaven. Her flight back
into the real world really is magical, as it's prompted by the supernatural. Buffy's "Rescue from
within" is the very same as her "Magical Flight".

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After being ripped out of heaven surprisingly and having achieved peace and the ultimate
boon, Buffy has severe trouble with crossing the return threshold. Although physically, she had
already crossed the return threshold because she is alive, and functioning in the real world once
again however mentally and emotionally she is unable to find true acceptance and peace until the
end of season seven. All through out season six, Buffy is horribly depressed and detached from
her horrifying experience of coming back to life. The show takes a serious dark turn at around
the same time, with some of the best episodes airing as well. Buffy is shown as having financial
problems, and issues with rejoining everyday life. Season six is primarily Buffy trying to cross
the return threshold, and having severe trouble throughout her attempts.
When season seven hits, Buffy has embraced her hero role, but is very preoccupied with
the safety of everything as she prepares to fight the most powerful villain of the entire series, the
first Evil. The first Evil is a manipulative force that carries out villainous acts through its
servants. It can take the form of any dead person, and represents all evil in the world. This is one
of the worst bad guys on the show because it's represents all things that are bad, and it's
capabilities are so much more powerful then anything Buffy had to face before. The content of
season seven is also dark, disallowing Buffy to emotionally and mentally cross the threshold
needed for her to become the master of both universes. At the very end of season seven, Buffy
has the abstract and controversial plan to spread the slayer power to all potentials. She realizes
that this is the only way that they can truly defeat the first Evil. There is a moment in an episode
in season seven, where Buffy gives a speech to the potentials. She is clearly overcome with the
knowledge that they are going to win. It is only once she reaches this moment, that Buffy is able
to become the master of both universes. In the series finale, when Buffy overlooks the remains of
Sunnydale, it is only then that she has the freedom to live.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues to live on in other forms, spawning multiple
comic books and other forms of adaptation. I personally see Buffy's journey as complete
once the series finale ends. It's comforting to think that the destruction of Sunnydale will
bring Buffy and her friends some peace for a little bit of time, especially after the dark
traumatic tendencies of the latter seasons of the series. Joss Whedon created a
masterpiece that will continue to be praised throughout time, despite its campy qualities.
Buffy is a true hero, and her journey strongly corresponds with Joseph Campbell's
monomyth.