12 Steps of the Hero’s Journey

Story Arc: Falling action Rising Action Resolution/Denoument Climax Setting

12 Steps of Hero’s Journey: Climax Falling action Resolution/Denoument Rising Action Back to the Ordinary World Hero’s Ordinary World Setting Special World of the Journey

12 Steps of Hero’s Journey: 8 7 9-10 11 6 12 1-5 Back to the Ordinary World Hero’s Ordinary World Special World of the Journey

1) The Ordinary World Shows the regular world, hero’s normal environment EX: Aladdin in the streets, Jasmine in the palace.

2) The Call to Adventure Hero is presented with a challenge or adventure (usually by a herald or harbinger) Establishes stakes of the game and hero’s goal (win treasure, lover, revenge, right a wrong, change a life, confront challenge) EX: Aladdin meets the old man while in jail (Jafar in disguise)

3) The Refusal of the Call Hero is not fully committed, thinks of turning back. Fear. Some further influence causes hero to cross the threshold and overcome fear. EX: Aladdin is a bit unsure, even after accepting the old man’s offer. He becomes resigned when the cave closes on him.

4) Meeting with the Mentor Hero meets Mentor. Mentor trains hero to face unknown (gives advice, sometimes magical weapons) EX: Genie helps Aladdin get out of cave, gives wishes and advice. *This step can happen at any time before the hero enters the special world—may not be in order.

5) Into the Special World (Crossing the 1st Threshold) Hero finally commits to adventure, enters Special World of the story. Story really gets rolling. Turning point between Ordinary and Special World EX: Aladdin finally accepts that he gets the wishes, and with the help of Genie, sets out to become a prince.

6) Tests, Allies, and Enemies The hero may encounter several Threshold Guardians The hero makes friends and enemies The hero learns the rules of the Special World. EX: Aladdin becomes the Genie’s friend, gets an elephant, makes an enemy of Jafar, and learns how to act like a prince (his “special world”).

7) Approaching the Inmost Cave Most dangerous place. Sometimes actually underground, but sometimes a metaphorical “cave” Where object of quest is hidden Sometimes the headquarters of the villain. EX: In Aladdin, the object of his quest is Jasmine. He goes metaphorically into the inmost cave when he goes to the palace (the same place that is Jafar’s headquarters) to gain her love. Dangerous because of Jafar, and because he may be unmasked as really being a street rat.

8) The Supreme Ordeal Fortune of hero hits rock bottom. Direct confrontation with Shadow (villain, hero’s greatest fear, or both) Audience wonders if hero will live or die. EX: Aladdin loses control of the lamp, and Jafar takes over, trying to humiliate Jasmine and her father, and get rid of Aladdin. We wonder if Aladdin can still survive without the Genie.

9) Seizing the Sword (the Reward) Hero defeats Shadow, celebration! (usually love scene or comedy here) Hero takes possession of treasure. Could be weapon, elixir, knowledge, love, object. Hero may settle a conflict with a parent. EX: Aladdin defeats Jafar with wits instead of strength, and rescues Jasmine (his treasure). He finds out she still loves him, even though he is a street rat. They kiss, and Genie adds comedy.

10) The Road Back Hero is not out of the woods. Has to deal with consequences of confronting Shadow. Sometimes dark forces chase hero here. Decision that special world must be left. EX: No chase scene in Aladdin. Jasmine, father, and castle transported back to places.

11) The Resurrection 2nd life-or-death moment. Shadow gets one last shot at hero. Hero is tested to see if he or she really learned the lessons from the Supreme Ordeal. Hero is transformed by these life-or-death moments, will be able to return to ordinary world “reborn” with new insights. EX: Aladdin must face his shadow (inability to be himself), decide to wish the Genie free and remain a street rat, or wish to be a prince and marry Jasmine. Overcomes shadow (his insecurities), chooses the right thing (sets Genie free).

12) Return with the Elixir Hero returns to ordinary world, bringing back elixir, treasure, and/or lesson from special world. EX: Aladdin returns to being himself, but now has the love of Jasmine, and is now happy with who he really is. And because he has proven to be worthy, the Sultan changes the law and Aladdin can marry Jasmine.

Disclaimer The order in which these steps fall is only a FRAMEWORK. This means that while some literature and film can follow this basic construct, these steps CAN happen out of order, happen more than once or not happen at all. When deciding how the Hero’s Journey pans out in your book and film, you will need to not only identify the steps, but also explain how you know this step is happening and why it is where it is (or why it is NOT there). This will make more sense once you get into your analysis!

Now, you try: You will now apply this to your book and film. Complete pages 3-4 in your packet for your NOVEL. Pages 2-5 are due Monday, April 8 at BEGINNING of hour. I will give you a separate page 5 so you can turn in the first part of your packet separately. Page 5 will be a more fleshed out CEW version of what you have on your archetype chart. You will work the rest of the week on this assignment. You will write it out by hand or type it up at home. Make sure you fill it out completely and thoroughly.

Cont… Pages 6-9 for your film are due Friday, April 19th by the END of the HOUR even if you are absent! I will give you a separate page 9 so you can keep the rest of the packet. If you are working towards an A or B, you MUST meet these deadlines. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!! I will give more details about deadlines for the B paper and A paper later. You will have SOME time in class to work on this, but may have some homework depending on how good you manage your time.

Non-fiction reading As I collect and read through your packets, you will be reading a non-fiction book of your choice. Non-fiction means it is real life and based on facts. I have a selection of books to choose from, but I will send groups of students down on a pass to the library tomorrow and Friday. I would find a book ASAP so you can get started on it. These are the assessments: Quiz #1 Friday, April 12 Quiz #2 Thursday, April 18 Book Talk Monday, April 22 (no make-up; written work instead) These are all summatives; yes, you have do them all. I will give you class time from April 8 to April 19 to read your book. However, you will need to read outside of class as well to get done in time for the book talk.