1. The Universal “Hero’s Journey”

2. This guy is Joseph Campbell.  Coined term “monomyth” to describe a type of universal story structure  All stories are essentially the same story… just changes in time/ place/perspective  Believed stories could teach us: “Follow your bliss”

3. Instincts, nightmares, hopes and dreams shared…  Campbell influenced by Carl Jung’s Collective Unconscious theory  CU = Our “fantasy lives” share an archetypal structure that crosses gender, culture, race, even time in history!

4. Many different colors & materials, one basic shoe.  Campbell found one basic structure that linked important cultural myths all the way to modern movies.  The monomyth, though it has many variations, typically consists of 12 stages

5. Ordinary World vs. Special World  Reader meets hero  Hero lives in safe haven—opposite of Special World  Hero is living daily, predictable life,

6. V calls Evey on a journey she can’t come back from…  Journey begins!  Hero presented with a challenge or quest by an outside force, message, or character  Quest must be taken to preserve the Ordinary World

7. Red pill or blue pill????????  Hero refuses or is reluctant to take the journey  Fears and insecurities  Shows risks that lie ahead—audience identifies with hero

8. You knew my father?!  Hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, training, insight, magical gifts  Mentor may be actual person, spirit, or some type of book/map/guide

9. Peter Banning (formerly Pan) finds himself in Neverland  Hero enters Special World of the adventure  Home is gone—there’s no going back now  Special World is dangerous, strange, and fantastic

10. Inigo battles the Dread Pirate Roberts  Hero faces tests, finds allies, confronts foes  Discovers who can be trusted, tests strength  Gains sidekicks, confidence

11. Strategizing!  Hero prepares for big challenge, planning and strategizing  Lesser enemies must be defeated  Strengthening of friendship/romance as characters prepare to fight

12. He’s going to die. Or so it seems.  Hero engages in central life-or-death crisis  Faces greatest fear, confronts most difficult challenge  Journey on brink of failure! Casualties.

13. Spiderman finally gets the girl of his dreams.  Hero triumphs!!  Earns reward (material or emotional, an object, relationship, honor, etc.)

14. Kids come back from Narnia, confused.  Hero returns to the Ordinary World (difficult)  Still some things to take care of here…

15. Beast turns human.  Hero is “reborn,” sometimes literally but usually figuratively.  Hero has transformed into a new person.  Restored and repaid for sacrifices.

16. Simba’s return heals the Pridelands  Hero heals the wounded world.  Journey now has meaning beyond just the hero  whole community.