Odyssey Journal #2 What is a hero? Who are your heroes? What is it about these people that makes them heroic? Can anybody become a hero?

The Hero’s Journey A Metaphor for Literature and Life Let the Journey Begin!

Joseph Campbell Campbell was perhaps the leading expert on World Mythology His books on The Hero’s Adventure created a framework for understanding both life and literature

The Archetype of the Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell developed this chart to show the journey that literary and cultural heroes must pass through.

Even Children need Heroes Joseph Campbell believed that there exists a UNIVERSAL PATTERN for heroes in all cultures and all eras...

Campbell’s Hero The hero must pass through three stages: Call and Initiation Challenges, Abyss and Temptations Atonement and Return with a Gift

The Call and Initiation Stage George Lucas used the Hero’s Journey as the framework for his full Star Wars movie series. In Star Wars episode 4, we meet Luke Skywalker, an initiate (hero-to-be) who is a young man longing for an adventure.

The Threshold Guardians Luke’s Aunt and Uncle on his home planet of Tattoine serve as his threshold guardians. They do not feel that he is ready to move out into the adult world.

The Young Hero’s Tension All young people, like Luke, must come to a point in their journey where they must “cross the Threshold” from the world of childhood to the adult world of responsibility. The Threshold Guardians try to hold them back as the young initiates struggle to break away from home.

What is your Threshold? We all cross many types of Thresholds during our lifetime. As you enter high school, you are facing many new thresholds in your young life! What are some of the new Thresholds you are facing this year? Who are the Threshold Guardians at this point in your life?

The young initiate has now made the key life decision to step out on his/her own into the unknown adult world This line represents The THRESHOLD

Threshold Guardians The hero is never alone in his initiation and training phase. The Initiate Needs Mentors His uncle and aunt guide him before his hero’s journey begins. Obi-Wan Kenobi gives Luke the first Call to become a Hero Yoda takes over for Obi- Wan and helps Luke become a Jedi Knight, fulfilling his destiny

The Initiate Needs Helpers Other important people in the young hero’s life are Helpers Han Solo, R2D2, C-3PO and Princess Leia are examples of other initiates on their own Hero’s Journey.

Helpers, Mentors, and YOU It is the wise young person today who seeks out HELPERS and MENTORS with strong values and conviction. Who serves as YOUR Helpers and Mentors when your Threshold Guardians cannot be there for you?

Challenges and Temptations A young person’s journey to adulthood is full of trials and temptations. In any true Hero’s Journey, it is the challenges and dangers that turn the child into an adult -- the initiate into a True Hero. Think of all the ways that Luke Skywalker must prove himself to become a Jedi Knight & hero:

The Abyss At some point, the initiate must confront his deepest and darkest fear. In most legends, he must confront EVIL or death itself. In Luke’s case, the challenge is both PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL, because his father is DARTH VADER.

What is your ABYSS? What are your greatest Challenges and Temptations?

The Atonement and Transformation At this stage, the initiate has survived the Abyss and has faced his greatest fear. He has now proven himself a worthy Hero, and he is ready to accomplish the great deed that is his true destiny.

How have you found ATONEMENT? How has your own life been HEROIC?

The Return (with a Gift) To truly complete the Hero’s Quest, the new Hero must return to his home as a truly “new person.” He will bring home the “gifts” of protection, wisdom, and guidance to his home.

Your Role as a Hero: Are you willing to become a Mentor or Helper? There is always another young person who wants to be a hero and who needs a real Mentor!

So... What will YOU do when the world gets tough? Do you have what it takes to be a HERO in today’s world? Will you be willing to become a MENTOR for one who will follow in your footsteps?