1. Journal 8/27/13
Not every story is destined for a happy ending. Many movies that stay with us, however, are those in which the main character grew stronger as a result of not getting what he or she wanted. Choose any film that you feel fits this description and explain how the protagonist emerged as a better person.

2. The Hero’s Journey

3. Origins of the Hero’s Journey
Joseph Campbell's monomyth, or the hero's journey, is a basic pattern that its proponents argue is found in many narratives from around the world.
Campbell held that numerous myths from various times and regions share fundamental structures and stages.
A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.
Campbell and other scholars, such as Erich Neumann, describe narratives of Gautama Buddha, Moses, and Christ in terms of the monomyth and Campbell argues that classic myths from many cultures follow this basic pattern.

4. The 17 Stages of the Monomyth - DEPARTURE
Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Supernatural Aid
Crossing the First Threshold
The Belly of the Whale

5. The 17 Stages of the Monomyth - INITIATION
Road of Trials
The Meeting with the Goddess
Woman as Temptress
Atonement with the Father
Apotheosis
The Ultimate Boon

6. The 17 Stages of the Monomyth - RETURN
Refusal of the Return
The Magic Flight
Rescue from Without
The Crossing of the Return Threshold
Master of Two Worlds
Freedom to Live

7. Journal – 8/28/13
Identify a movie in which the lead character radically changes his/her beliefs between the beginning of the film and the end. What events or influences caused this transformation to occur?
Example: In Monsters, Inc., Boo teaches Sully and Mike that children aren’t nearly as scary and toxic as the propaganda of Monstropolis would have everyone believe.

8. Journal – 8/30/13
Identify a feature film in which the lead character maintains the same beliefs and objectives from start to finish. How does this steadfastness cause the other characters around him/her to alter their own perceptions from what they were at the beginning?
Example: Gandhi

9. Homework
Trace the hero’s journey with a film from the list (make one for the class)