The Heros Journey The Background l In 1988

The Hero’s Journey

The Background l In 1988, Christopher Vogler, (Hollywood film producer and writer), created a 7 -page company memo, A Practical Guide to The Hero With a Thousand Faces Vogler's memo was later developed into the late 1990 s book, The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers. l This story structure, which describes the journey of a true mythical hero, is evident in a vast number of successful stories. l

The Journey l. A mythical hero’s journey can be divided into three separate sections: l Act I: Departure / Separation l Act II: Descent, Initiation, Recompense l Act III: The Return l Each of these acts have scenes associated with them, like any good story or movie.

ACT I DEPARTURE / SEPARATION l Scene 1: Ordinary World l Scene 2. Call to Adventure l Scene 3. Meeting with the Mentor l Scene 4. Crossing First Threshold

ACT II DESCENT, INITIATION, RECOMPENSE l Scene 1. Tests, Allies & Enemies l Scene 2. Approach to Inmost Cave l Scene 3. The Ordeal l Scene 4. Reward (Seizing the Sword)

ACT III THE RETURN l Scene 1. Road Back l Scene 2. Return with Elixir

Putting It Into Practice l Let’s see how this applies to a famous story that most people know: Star Wars.

ACT I - DEPARTURE / SEPARATION l Scene 1: Ordinary World – Luke Skywalker lives on Tatooine. His life is dull and pedantic. He desperately wants to leave. l Scene 2. Call to Adventure – A chance find of a video recording by Princess Leia sends Luke on a search for Ben Kenobi. l Scene 3. Meeting with the Mentor – Ben saves Luke from Tuskin Raiders and learns of the recording. He enlists Luke in the quest. l Scene 4. Crossing First Threshold – The heroes travel to the cantina where Luke faces his first test of violence.

ACT II - DESCENT, INITIATION, RECOMPENSE l Scene 1. Tests, Allies & Enemies – Luke and Ben team up with Han Solo and Chewbacca and leave the planet. l Scene 2. Approach to Inmost Cave – The band is captured by the Empire but later escape to join up with the Rebel Alliance. l Scene 3. The Ordeal – The rebels attack the Death Star. l Scene 4. Reward (Seizing the Sword) – The Death Star is destroyed as the Rebels escape with just a few ships left.

ACT III - THE RETURN l Scene 1. Road Back – The heroes return to the Alliance, but Artoo is badly hurt. C 3 PO offers his parts as replacement. l Scene 2. Return with Elixir – Artoo and C 3 PO are restored; Luke and Han are rewarded with medals of valor from the Alliance.

Some Examples l Hercules, Perseus, Theseus, Odysseus l Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) l Thomas Edison l Kevin Flynn (Tron) l Joe Clark (Lean on Me) l Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings) l Bill and Ted (Bogus Journey) l Kal-El (Superman) l Presidential Candidates and the USA l YOU! (your on a journey right now!)