American mythologist (ology means study of; ist means person who does an action)

The monomyth – “the one story”

Archetypical heroic quest story

Same structure from culture to culture

Hero wears “costume” of his or her culture, but is really the same hero underneath, facing the same challenges.

Luke Skywalker is a modern example of a quest hero

can be male or female

Has remarkable birth or childhood

Often the offspring of a god or goddess

May be born under unusual circumstances

May be unaware of his/her origins or raised by foster parents

Often shows early signs of being special: may have superhuman strength or supernatural powers

Folktale Hero

A very ordinary person; step child or neglected youngest child; may be mistreated by parents or siblings

No supernatural powers

May be exceptionally kind, clever or resourceful

Quest – a journey taken in search of a person or object of great value

Prize may be a specific person (beautiful princess); an abstract concept (truth, meaning of life); concrete object (treasure or magic charm).

Mythic heroes often helped by loyal friends or god or goddess benefactors

Folktale heroes often helped by people, animals or magical beings, often repaying them for good deeds done earlier

Quest does not go smoothly

Hero may be tempted to leave the “true path” by succumbing to temptation

Sometimes a character flaw in hero, often pride or impatience, causes him or her to falter on quest

Quest may involve descent into the underworld or some other dark and frightening place that ordinary humans dare not enter

Sometimes hero sacrifices his/her life for others

Hero returns with an elixer to share: wisdom, knowledge, renewed commitment, greater compassion, etc.

Hero gets his or her own reward : a royal marriage perhaps and lives happily ever after

Perhaps this quest tale is so universal because the challenges the quest hero faces are symbolic of the challenges that each of us must face in life.

“Killing monsters” may symbolize the individual fighting against social injustices or inner conflicts that prevent happiness.

Journey to the underworld might symbolize facing the unpleasant realities e.g. the existence of death or looking inward to answer tough questions.