Applying myth and archetype to literature

Joseph Campbell argues in his book that literature follows a pattern of journeying/questing. It can be applied to large as well as small journeys. It is cyclical and not always linear…characters may get “stuck” going back and forth between steps and once they complete the journey they may begin a new one immediately. It’s true purpose is more often than not for self-knowledge.

The Journey An understanding of THE JOURNEY enables readers to make sense of the mythological elements of a literary piece. The journey consists of stages: Innocence Initiation Chaos Resolution Despite the connotation of its name, the mythological approach to analyzing literature is a 20 th century development. It helps us understand how stories contain structures and symbols that are a part of all cultures. These structures and symbols are embedded in all literature, no matter its date of composition.

Innocence Ordinary Life/Known World Separation Call to Adventure Initiation Threshold Crossing into the Unknown (Departure, Meeting Allies, Gift, Mentor) Chaos The Abyss Confronting Challenges Final Ordeal Resolution Atonement Return The Details of the Journey…

Abyss Enlightenment/Revelation Temptations Challenges Atonement KnownReturn Call and Separation Threshold

Known: What we know about the character at the beginning His/her life, family, place of residence, how he/she sees the world An innocent perspective Call/Separation: A fall from innocence One of the 3 previously discussed reasons for leaving the home and the familiar The hero can choose to ignore this call but will then be stuck on his journey Oftentimes the hero will initially ignore the call Threshold: The moment of no return The crossing over into the unknown that starts the hero’s journey

Challenges: The hero must face a variety of challenges They can be mental or physical, internal or external Conflicts must be conquered before the hero can move on in her journey Temptations: Events/people that try to stop the hero on his journey. While there are many, the big 5 are Sex (idleness/debauchery) Drugs (being controlled/easy road out) Gambling (risk taking) Power (controlling others) Money (greed)

Abyss: The lowest point of the hero’s journey. Literally or figuratively a bottomless pit from which escape seems nonexistent. Depression. Desire to give up and return home or forgo the journey. Revelation/Enlightenment: If he gets out of the abyss it will be through a moment of clarity. The hero recognizes something about himself or the world that causes him to continue on the journey. A realization about his path

Atonement: Now that the hero has decided to continue on the journey, there needs to be a moment of atoning or “paying back” for the sins, temptations etc. that waylaid the hero on his journey. A process of purification or healing either literally or figuratively. Often this is purifying the soul or mentality of the hero Return: The hero returns to her people, home etc. bearing gifts (usually knowledge). The hero has reached a higher plane of thinking/understanding of the world. No longer innocent. Can begin the journey again.

Abyss Enlightenment/Revelation Temptations Challenges Atonement KnownReturn Call and Separation Threshold