HEROES

Hero: n. a person who is admired for brave or noble actions

Discuss one of the following terms with a partner in relation to a hero: Choices Intentions Identify Serve Character Honesty Imitate Involvement Justice Morality Obligation Responsibility Standard Wisdom

Theme and the Oral Tradition pp. 1030-1031 Prentice Hall

Consider the following literary forms that arose out of the oral tradition: Myth Folk Tale Legend Epic

Who was reading back then? Given the amount of people who were illiterate in ancient times, place the oral tradition in its historical context. When we are not reading, what is the purpose of all the stories we consume through other media? How do we experience these stories? You are watching something. What are you watching? What does it say about you?

Hero’s Quest: A clever or brave person undergoes a series of tests or trials while on a search for something of great importance.

Archetype: an element that recurs throughout the literature of different cultures Examples – Trickster: a clever person or animal who can fool others but often gets into trouble through curiosity Monster: a nonhuman or semi-human figure that menaces society and must be destroyed by the hero

What makes a hero? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhk4N9A0oCA

Hero’s Journey Formula 12:00 Status Quo 1:00 Call to Adventure 2:00 Assistance 3:00 Departure 4:00 Trials 5:00 Approach 6:00 Crisis 7:00 Treasure 8:00 Result 9:00 Return 10:00 New Life 11:00 Resolution 12:00 Status Quo (but upgraded)

Hero’s Journey and Hero’s Quest Ordinary World Hero’s Quest Special World Status Quo Call to Adventure Assistance Departure (Part-time) Hero’s Quest Return (Part -time) New life Resolution Departure (Enter Special World) Trials Approach Crisis Treasure Result Return (Depart Special World)

What’s so special about the journey? Regardless of the time or place, every hero starts from where they are. Think of the hero before and after the quest. How has the hero changed? What is the connection to your own life?

“Pecos Bill: The Cyclone” by Harold W. Felton A tall tale is a type of folk tale that contains some or all of the following features: a larger-than-life central hero far-fetched situations and amazing feats humor hyperbole, or exaggeration In general, tall tales tell how humans make things happen.

“Perseus” by Edith Hamilton A myth is an anonymous story that explains: the actions of gods or human heroes the reason for certain traditions causes of natural features Every culture has its own mythology, or collection of myths. Originally religious in nature, myths often express the central values of the people who created them. Mythic heroes often share three characteristics: they have at least one divine parent they gain special knowledge or weapons they face seemingly impossible tasks In general, myths tell how gods shape human life.

Tall Tale and Myth Differences Humor Ridiculous situations Traditional story Heroes with divine parent Doings of gods Religious origin

Tall Tale and Myth Common Features Exaggerated events Larger-than-life heroes Oral tradition

Why is “Pecos Bill” a tall tale? It is a tall tale because of the larger-than-life central hero and exaggeration, which makes the story humorous.

Why is “Perseus” a myth? It is a myth because it explains the actions of gods, and Perseus is a mythic hero.

Hero/Patriarch/Culture Hero n. a person who is admired for brave or noble actions Patriarch a man who rules a family, clan, or tribe Culture the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time (learned, practiced, and shared)

Where do we learn culture? Family Friends Religion School Media Professions Geography Food, Music, and Clothing What is your culture?

“The Wizard King” (from France) A fairy tale is a type of folk tale that contains some or all of the following features: follows a simple formula Deals with heroics, adventure, magic, or romance Frequently contains animal characters with human traits

Group Assignment #1 Identify as many of the stages of the hero’s journey as possible in “The Wizard King”. Refer to your notes. In your groups, have one writer record your discoveries on a separate sheet of paper. Don’t forget to write down the names of every group member on the paper.

Group Assignment #2 Identify as many of the stages of the hero’s journey as possible in “Perseus”. Refer to your notes. In your groups, have one writer record your discoveries on a separate sheet of paper. Don’t forget to write down the names of every group member on the paper.

Group Assignment #3 In the spirit of the oral tradition, construct a living essay in which each group member will verbally present (from memory) a portion of the essay. For example, one person will speak the introduction, another will speak the body paragraph, and another will speak the conclusion. Each group member will need to orally present a portion of the essay. Therefore, if there are four group members, that presentation will include an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your prompt is the following: Please describe a few stages of the hero’s journey from the stories of “Perseus” and “The Wizard King”. Make sure to use textual evidence to support your answer.