The Hero's Journey - Mythic Structure

of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth

by Dan Bronzite
OBJECTIVES
1. Introduce the idea of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, or hero’s
cycle;

2. Discuss the qualities of a hero; and

3. Creaate a chart depicting The Hero’s Journey and the Monomyth

The 12 Stages of The Hero's Journey

A popular form of structure derived from Joseph Campbell's

Monomyth from his book The Hero With A Thousand

Faces and adapted by Christopher Vogler is the Twelve Stage

Hero's Journey. 
This is essentially a more detailed Character Arc for your

story's hero which is overlayed onto the more traditional three-

act structure that many successful Hollywood movies such

as Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz when analyzed appear to

follow.
1. Ordinary World
This is where the Hero's exists before his

present story begins, oblivious of the

adventures to come.
The Eye of the World, Robert Jordan

The residents of Emond's Field lead ordinary lives. Rand al'

Thor, Mat, Perrin, and Egwene are youths coming of age in a
quiet agrarian town. Rand and Egwene have romantic interest
in one another, while Rand, Mat, and Perrin are boyhood
friends. 
2. Call To Adventure

The Hero's adventure begins when he receives a call to

action, such as a direct threat to his safety, his family, his

way of life or to the peace of the community in which he

lives.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,
J. K. Rawlings
Harry receives letters after attended Hogwarts.
When they are ignored, he receives hundreds of
acceptance letters. These letters are delivered with
persistence, in various magical, and unthinkable,
ways. 
 3. Refusal Of The Call

Although the Hero may be eager to accept the quest, at this

stage he will have fears that need overcoming.
Second thoughts or even deep personal doubts as to whether or
not he is up to the challenge.
The Last Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle 
Originally warned by some passing hunters that she, the Unicorn,
may be the last of her kind, the unicorn does not believe that she is.
As time passes, and no others come near, the Unicorn's doubt and
worry becomes so great that she leaves her forest to seek out any
hint of her own kind. 
4. Meeting The Mentor

At this crucial turning point where the Hero

desperately needs guidance he meets a mentor figure

who gives him something he needs.

The Sword in the Stone, T. H. White
Through a seemingly chance encounter, Arthur, or Wart, as he is called,
stumbles upon the cottage of Merlyn. Merlyn is a wizard who then goes
back home with Wart and becomes his tutor, teaching him the way to
become a great man through a series of  magical transformations that
teach him about the animal kingdom. 
5. Crossing The Threshold
The Hero is now ready to act upon his call to

adventure and truly begin his quest, whether it be

physical, spiritual or emotional. 

The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley
Jackson
After setting out secretly, Eleanor stops in Hillsdale for lunch and is faced by the resentful people
in the gas station. The road that leads to Hill House is rutted and in poor condition, and the trees
themselves seem to try to keep her from proceeding. The gate is "clearly locked-- locked and
double locked and chained and barred," and to gain entrance she must face the house's
guardian, Mr. Dudley, who is altogether unwelcoming and tries to convince her to leave. Even as
she drives her car up the driveway, she  feels an overwhelming sense that the house itself is vile.
Every move toward the house is a deliberate choice that Eleanor must make with all of her
strength. This deep internal unwillingness to enter Hill House is another threshold guardian. 
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
Finally, out of his comfort zone, the Hero is confronted

with an ever more difficult series of challenges that test him

in a variety of ways. Obstacles are thrown across his path.

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
The party of dwarves (and hobbit, Bilbo), are trapped by trolls, but are saved by Gandalf.
They travel to Rivendell and receive aid from Elrond. As they pass through the Misty
Mountains, goblins catch them. While the party is saved by Gandalf, Bilbo is separated from
them in the tunnels. He is found by Gollum, who offers to lead him out, in exchange for the
answers to a series of riddles. He manages to escape on his own through the power of the
invisibility ring that he found. This ring aids him throughout the rest of his trials in
Mirkwood forest, where he is able to save the party of dwarves from giant spiders, and from
the Wood-elves' dungeon. 
7. Approach To The Inmost Cave

The inmost cave may represent many things in the Hero's

story such as an actual location in which lies a terrible

danger or an inner conflict which up until now the Hero has

not had to face. 

Carrie, Stephen King
Carrie and Tommy have arrived at the Prom, despite all odds. His friends

welcome her, even though they are not her friends. Despite the dread she felt

entering the prom, and the worries of Sue, everything seems to be going well.

Then the Prom King and Queen are announced, and both Carrie and Tommy are

surprised to be selected, heading towards the stage. 

8. Ordeal
The Supreme Ordeal may be a dangerous physical test or

a deep inner crisis that the Hero must face in order to

survive or for the world in which the Hero lives to continue

to exist.
Enchanter's End Game, David
Eddings
During the final battle, Garion faces the God of Angarak,
Torak. This battle was foretold for hundreds of years, and
the god  tries to tempt him, but is refused. Garion vanquishes
him with the sword of the Rivan King, bringing peace to all
the lands. 
9. Reward (Seizing The Sword)
After defeating the enemy, surviving death and finally

overcoming his greatest personal challenge, the Hero is

ultimately transformed into a new state, emerging from battle as

a stronger person and often with a prize.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S.
Lewis
After the Narnian army defeated the White Witch's forces
and Aslan kills her, there is peace once more in Narnia. As a
reward for their role in the battle, the Pevensie children are
crowned high kings and high queens at the castle in Cair
Paravel. 
10. The Road Back
This stage in the Hero's journey represents a reverse echo of the Call
to Adventure in which the Hero had to cross the first threshold.

Now he must return home with his reward but this time the
anticipation of danger is replaced with that of acclaim and perhaps
vindication, absolution or even exoneration.
The High King, Lloyd Alexander
After defeating Arawn's forces and the defeat of Annuvin,
Taran and his allies travel home to Caer Dallben. Here, the
champions discover their journey is not quite finished; the
Sons of Don and all those with magic, will now have to
depart Prydain for the Summer Country. 
11. Resurrection
This is the climax in which the Hero must have his final and most
dangerous encounter with death.

The final battle also represents something far greater than the Hero's
own existence with its outcome having far-reaching consequences to
his Ordinary World and the lives of those he left behind.
The Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin

Ged faces the shadow that has pursued him since its release during

his magical duel. By giving the shadow his own name, he is able to

face it finally, merging with it. He is reborn, finally healed and whole

from his previous injuries. 

12. Return With The Elixir
This is the final stage of the Hero's journey in which he
returns home to his Ordinary World, a changed man. He
will have grown as a person, learned many things, faced
many terrible dangers and even death but now looks
forward to the start of a new life. 
Interview with the Vampire, Anne
Rice
After hearing the complete tale from the vampire Louis, the
reporter is still desperate to be turned immortal. Angering
the vampire, by clearly not receiving his message, the
vampire attacks the young reporter before disappearing into
the night. 
 JOSEPH CAMPBELL (1904-1987)
◦ Best known for his work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell was a
prolific author and editor who worked on many myth related books.
◦ He was a public speaker and taught at Sarah Lawrence College.

◦ Nurturing a life long passion for mythology, Campbell studied comparative

mythology and religion.
◦ His most well known phrase is "Follow your bliss." 
Activity

In a long bond paper, create a chart

illustrating the Hero’s Journey and the

Monomyth.
Scoring Criteria
Composition and Design – 25 points
Color – 15 points
Technique – 20 points
Creativity and Originality – 20 points
Craftsmanship and Presentation - 20 points
Total = 100 points
EXAMPLE CHART
EXAMPLE CHART