The Hero Cycle in

Legally Blonde and The

Ramayana

By Sebe Shearer
Legally Blonde
Call to Adventure -character goes through a “transformative crisis” and must go on a quest to fill
something missing in their life, could be literal or metaphorical.

Legally Blonde

Elle Woods’ longtime boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, breaks

up with her because she is “not serious enough”. She then
decides she will attend Harvard Law in attempts to win him
back.
Crossing the Threshold - hero must earn passage and cross the territory between the
know and the unknown.
Legally Blonde

Elle leaves LA and arrives at Harvard. She gets many strange

looks and has to deal with countless stereotypes based
towards blondes and Californians.
Road of Trials- hardships the hero must go
Legally Blonde through

Throughout her time at Harvard, Elle is mocked by her peers

and is not taken seriously.

Ex. Being laughed at in her classes,

being told that Vivian Kenzington’s
party was a costume party, not
being taken seriously by her
classmates and teachers, working hard to
passing her classes, struggling to
make get Callahan’s internship,
finding out her ex is engaged to her
enemy.
Belly of the Whale- hero falls into a pit of depression and is a form of self-annihilation.
Legally Blonde

Elle realizes Professor Callahan only accepted her to his

internship program because he thought she was attractive.
Callahan tries to make a move on Elle and she discerns his
true intentions. She becomes very upset and decides to quit
law school, feeling that no one will ever take her seriously.
Meeting with the Goddess- woman of mystical power aids or nurtures hero.
Legally Blonde

One of Elle’s professors, Professor Stromwell, sees Elle in

the beauty shop as she is saying goodbye to her friend
Paulette. Professor Stromwell then proceeds to tell Elle that
she is a very smart girl and she shouldn’t give up on her
dreams because of “one stupid prick”. This inspires Elle to
return to court and, later on, win the case.
Magic Flight- unreal passage of time.
Legally Blonde

After Professor Stromwell convinces Elle to stay, she

suddenly appears at the courtroom, having somehow found the
time to concoct a plan with Brooke Taylor Windham (Elle’s
client).
The Ultimate Boon- hero meets the goal, the quest is realized.
Legally Blonde

Elle discovers her potential and understands that she doesn’t

need Warner to be happy. She realizes her self-worth and goes
forward to be at the top of her class.
Master of Two Worlds - a balance has been struck between the material and spiritual
worlds.
Legally Blonde

Elle wins her first case and graduates Harvard top of her
class. She finds a balance between her feminine personality
and her traditionally masculine profession, understanding
that it is okay to be girly and smart simultaneously.
The Ramayana
Call to Adventure
The Ramayana

Rama is exiled for 14 years by his step-mother, Kaikeyi

Crossing the Threshold

Rama leaves the city of Ayodhya and enters the forest to

begin his exile with his wife, Sita, and his younger brother,
Lakshmana.
Road of Trials
The Ramayana

Rama and his companions are attacked many times in the forest
and Rama must endure much as he is fighting back. Sita is
kidnapped by Ravana during one of these trials.
The Temptress
The Ramayana

Rama encounters Soorpanaka, a demon woman who has fallen in

love with him. She disguises herself as a beautiful maiden
and tries to lure him away from Sita.
Atonement with the Father
The Ramayana

Dasaratha, Rama’s father, comes down from the heavens to

speak with Rama. He (Dasaratha) lets go of the pain of being
forced to exile Rama and was finally able to rest in peace.
Apotheosis
The Ramayana

Rama has a huge battle with Ravana and finds that none of the
objects his enemy throws at him can hurt him. He is entering
a god-like state and is temporarily invincible.
Magic Flight
The Ramayana

Rama must get home quickly so he can meet his brother on

their agreed upon date. To aid his speed, Vibishana (one of
Rama’s brothers), gives him a magical vehicle that can
transport them back to Ayodhya.
Freedom to Live
The Ramayana

Rama returns home and claims his place on the throne. He has
accepted that his journey may never be over and this is only
the beginning. He is now in control of his own destiny and
him and his companions have found inner peace.