In Search of Heroes…

Eight Stages of

The Epic Hero’s Journeya.k.a.

Your Life’s Journey

Why study the hero’s journey?

It is the pattern of the human experience Every challenge we face is part of our life

journey It is the process of self-discovery Knowledge of the “Journey” pattern can

help up us understand the stories we read, the movies we watch, and the experiences that shape our own lives

In the Beginning . . .• The hero is born a noble being

• Or born of “unusual” circumstances

• Or achieves greatness early

The journey is divided into 3 stages

1. Separation (from the known world)2. Initiation (and Transformation)3. The Return (to the known world)

Stage 1: Separation

The Call – The invitation into the adventure

Face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value

May come boldly as a sudden change or gradually

The Call may take many forms Something is lacking or

missing, personally, that must be sought after

The hero wants to save or restore honor to self, family, or country

Some part of the society has been restricted from their rights and the hero must fight for restoration

Separation (guardians and guides)

The Threshold: The jumping off point Interface between the

known and unknown world

In the known world, we feel secure because we are familiar with the rules and landscape

The unknown world is filled with challenges and dangers

Threshold Guardians People, beings, or

situations which block passage

Threshold Guardians have 2 functions Keep the hero from

taking journeys for which he is unprepared

Once the hero claims “I am ready; I can do this,” the guardians step aside

and point the way

Separation (helpers and mentors)

Helpers Provide assistance

or direction Often bring us a

divine gift to help us through the ordeal

Mentor The most

important person encountered on the journey

Keeps the hero focused on the goal and provides stability

Stage 2: Initiation The hero sets out

with blind faith to fulfill his calling.

3. The Challenges:Journey into the Unknown

►Once past the Threshold, the hero begins the journey into the Unknown.

►The voyage can be outward into the physical unknown, or inward into the psychological unknown

Challenges and Temptations

• The early challenges are simple. By meeting them successfully, the hero builds skill, strength, confidence, and maturity

• Later tests become more difficult, forcing the hero to change and grow

• Tempters try to pull the hero from the path, using fear, doubt, or distraction

• They may pretend to be a friend• They strike at the hero’s greatest

weakness

Someone to Love

• Sometimes the hero finds love along the way . . .

4. The Abyss: The Greatest Challenge

When the hero reaches the abyss, he meets his greatest challenge

The hero completely surrenders to the adventure

The hero must face his fear alone The hero will face his darkest hour . . .

The Final Battle At the lowest point, the hero will

engage in one last great battle to determine his fate.

5. Transformation: Death and Rebirth• As the hero conquers the Abyss and

overcomes fear, the transformation becomes complete

• There is a moment of death and rebirth– A part of the hero dies so that a new

part can be born

6. Revelation: Changes A sudden, rapid

change in the way the hero views life

The change in thinking is crucial because it makes the hero a different person

7. Atonement: “Oneness” After transformation, the hero

becomes “at one” with himself through Atonement

The hero incorporates the changes caused by the journey and rebirth

The hero is in harmony with the world and himself

8. THE RETURN:“Welcome Home”

The hero returns to everyday life

The hero discovers a new gift he now possesses

The hero returns to give gifts to the society

The return may not always go smoothly or lead to a “happily-ever-after” ending

Which of These Epic Hero Tales Do You Know?

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Iliad

The Odyssey

The Aeneid

Beowulf

The Ramayana

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Star Trek

Star Wars

The Lord of the Rings series

The Harry Potter series Chronicles of Narnia series

The Matrix series

Boyz in the Hood

The DaVinci Code

Their Eyes Were Watching God

The Hunger Games

What have we learned?

What have we learned?Journey gives you means for

understanding Journey is a pattern that we follow in

our own lives Our adventure opens the doors to

knowledge and understanding Our journey can help us achieve

wisdom, growth, and independence

Congratulations...

• You are ready to begin your life’s journey!

Brought to you by

Ms. Walton

Washington PreparatoryHigh School

AP English Literature

World Literature

The End