What is a hero? How would you describe a hero? Who in your life is a hero? Why? What would it take for you to be a hero to some one else?

Hero’s Journey Why is it important to study the Hero’s Journey? Pattern that dates from before recorded history that is still found today. Pattern of human existence — our own experiences — and we live it everyday. Pattern found throughout literature and movies today!

The Hero’s Journey Three stages Each stage has several steps Steps can be added, omitted, or the order can be switched a bit, but… … a general pattern is maintained

The Hero’s Journey: The Three Steps The Separation/Departure: the hero departs from his own, familiar world. The Initiation and Transformation: the hero undergoes initiation and transformation. The Return: the hero’s return should be seen as “rebirth” to the life he/she once knew.

Part 1: The Separation The Call The Threshold The Guide

The Call The Call: invites hero to adventure offers the opportunity to face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value. The Threshold: “the jumping off point” the interface between the known and the unknown. Mentor or Guide: receives assistance from a powerful being - often someone wizard-like.

The Call The Call: invites hero to adventure offers the opportunity to face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value. The call can unwillingly drag hero into it or they go by choice sneak up on them or be a sudden, traumatic, change.

Forms of The Call Four Kinds: Something is taken from hero –(family, home) lacking in life. (adventure, love) Hero wants to restore honor Hero must win rights

The Threshold Hero encounters beings, people, or situations which block passage. These things serve two functions. When ready, they step aside and point the way. Once started, there is no going back

Mentor or Guide Mentor of guide is a wise helper the hero meets. Keeps hero focused Teaches lessons needed to complete journey They can’t take the journey for the hero – its not their destiny / call

Part 2: Initiation and Transformation The Challenges The Abyss The Transformation and Revelation The Atonement

Part 2: Initiation and Transformation Old ways of thinking and acting are altered or destroyed New level of awareness, skill, and freedom Once past The Threshold, the hero begins the journey into the unknown. Can be outward into a physical unknown or inward to a psychological unknown This part of the journey puts the hero at risk — emotionally and physically.

The Challenges Challenges get progressively harder – character grows and changes

The Challenges One of the hardest tests is to distinguish between helpers and “tempters.”

The Challenges Challenges strike hero’s greatest weakness, poorest skill, shakiest knowledge, most vulnerable emotions Facing fears allows hero to overcome them Fears no longer are weaknesses

The Abyss The greatest challenge of hero’s journey.

The Abyss Hero meets greatest fear alone. Fear often takes the shape of something hero dreads, or has repressed, or needs to resolve. (like a villain)

Transformation and Revelation The moment of death and “rebirth” A part of the hero dies so that a new part can be born. Fear must die to make way for courage.

Transformation and Revelation Ignorance must die to make way for enlightenment. Dependency and irresponsibility must die for independence and power.

Transformation and Revelation Revelation is a sudden and dramatic change in the way hero thinks or views life. This change in thinking is crucial in that it truly makes hero a different person.

The Atonement Atone – to set right or to fix things Hero is complete (fixed) – no more heroic flaw Now fixes Abyss

Part 3: The Return He is more confident, perceptive, and capable.

Part 3: The Return The community recognizes the hero’s a being a hero.

Part 3: The Return Hero may become richer or stronger. great leader. May return to set things right at home. May become mentor for other people

Part 3: The Return Hero may become spiritually enlightened. Some heroes return to realize their new level of awareness and understanding is far greater than the people around them; then they leave. Some heroes realize they must stay and teach others.

Where have you seen it? Which movies or books follow this model?? Do you agree with this idea of a hero? Why/why not?

Hero’s Journey Examples The Odyssey Indiana Jones Lord of the Rings The Wizard of Oz Star Wars The Matrix Just about any comic book super hero: Spider-Man Superman Batman