The Hero's Journey and Its Universal Application

Introduction to Hero's Journey

• The concept popularized by Joseph Campbell in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces".
• Suggests that many modern and ancient stories follow a similar structure known as the monomyth or hero's journey.

Structure of the Hero's Journey

• Cycle: Begins and ends in the hero's ordinary world, passing through a special world.
• Key Events in the Hero's Journey:
  1. Status Quo (12 o'clock): The hero's normal life.
  2. Call to Adventure (1 o'clock): The hero receives a mysterious message or invitation.
  3. Assistance (2 o'clock): The hero receives help from someone wiser.
  4. Departure (3 o'clock): The hero leaves their normal world for the adventure.
  5. Trials (4 o'clock): The hero faces challenges and tests.
  6. Approach (5 o'clock): The hero prepares to face the main ordeal.
  7. Crisis (6 o'clock): The hero's darkest hour, facing death or their greatest fear.
  8. Treasure (7 o'clock): The hero gains a reward or recognition.
  9. Result (8 o'clock): The outcome varies; either triumph or flight.
  10. Return (9 o'clock): The hero returns to their ordinary world.
  11. New Life (10 o'clock): The hero is transformed by the journey.
  12. Resolution (11 o'clock): The story's conflicts are resolved.
  13. Status Quo (12 o'clock): But at a new level, the hero has changed.

Examples in Modern Storytelling

• Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, Frodo
  • Variants of the hero in the monomyth structure.
• The Hunger Games as an Example:
  • Call to Adventure: Katniss hears her sister's name in the lottery.
  • Assistance: Receives help from Haymitch.
  • Departure: Leaves for the capital on a train.

Key Takeaways

• Many popular stories and movies align closely with this ancient storytelling formula.
• The hero's journey is a universal narrative structure that resonates across cultures and time.