Heroes on a Journey

1
Heroes on a Journey

• Discovering what
• Harry Potter, Neo,
• Luke Skywalker,
• Frodo Baggins,
• and Perseus
• share.

2
The Heros Journey

• The Quote All stories consist of a few common
  structural elements found universally in myths,
  fairy tales, dreams and movies".
• The Premise Characters frequently pass through
  12 stages as they transform into heroes.
• The Primary Source The Writers Journey by
  Christopher Vogler
• The Application/Extension Heroes live around us
  and within us.

3
1. The Ordinary World

• The normal, ordinary, predictable world of the
  hero everyday life.
• Could be a place of security, calm, peace, or a
  place of suffering, boredom, anguish.
• (Often the heros birth or ancestry are
  mysterious or noble.)

4
The Ordinary World

• Perseus grows up on quiet, little island.
• Luke grows up on a quiet, little moisture farm.
• Harry lives in a closet on Privet Drive.
• Neo works in a mundane, dull office building.
• Frodo lives a life of ease in the Shire.

5
2. The Call to Adventure

• Something happens to move the character out of
  his comfort zone.
• A challenge, problem, temptation,
  earth-shattering revelation, or traumatic event.

6
The Call To Adventure

• Perseus is challenged to kill Medusa by
  Polydectes.
• Artoo reveals part of Leias message to Luke Ben
  urges him to join the rebellion.
• Harry is invited to attend Hogwarts School.
• Neo is given a message to follow the White
  Rabbit.
• Gandalf reveals the secrets of Bilbos ring to
  Frodo.

7
3. Refusal of the Call

• The Reluctant Hero.
• I cant, Leave me out of it, Not me, Not
  now.
• The character is reluctant, disbelieving, fearful.

8
Refusal of the Call

• Perseus distresses over where to go and how to
  get there.
• Owen plays on Lukes guilt to keep him on the
  farm.
• Uncle Vernon prevents Harry from leaving.
• Neo resists accepting the truth about reality and
  his destiny.
• Frodo wishes someone else would deal with the
  Ring, offers it to Gandalf.

9
4. Meeting the Mentor

• Someone helps a supportive relationship is
  established counsel is given.
• A helper, a guide, a wise old man, or even
  supernatural aid.

10
Meeting the Mentor

• Athena Hermes aid Perseus.
• Merlin aids Arthur.
• Ben Kenobi aids Luke.
• Dumbledore aids Harry.
• Morpheus aids Neo.
• Gandalf aids Frodo

11
5. Crossing the First Threshold

• The character commits he steps into the
  adventure, the story begins he leaves the
  ordinary world and enters the special world.
• The hero usually fails and struggles, but
  inevitably proves himself, at least shows his
  promise.

12
Crossing the First Threshold

• Perseus dons the sandals, helmet, sword and
  shield and leaves Sephiros to find Medusa.
• Luke leaves his farm (recently destroyed) and
  Tatooine.
• Harry boards the Hogwarts Express.
• Neo chooses the red pill (not the blue one).
• Frodo leaves the Shire volunteers to take the
  Ring to Mordor.

13
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies

• The character investigates the new world, learns,
  meets friends, encounters enemies, develops
  strength, courage, and other honorable traits
  through tests and trials.

14
Tests, Allies, and Enemies

• Perseus outsmarts the gray sisters.
• Luke encounters rascals in the Mos Eisley cantina
  and trains with Ben aboard the Falcon.
• Harry meets friends and foes at Hogwarts.
• Neo trains with Morpheus aboard the
  Nebuchanezzar.
• Frodo travels east, evading Ringwraiths, Orcs,
  and other bogies and baddies.

15
7. Approach to the Innermost Cave

• Danger approaches, caution is needed, tension
  builds clarity blurs between friend and foe,
  duty and desire, good and evil.

16
Approach to the Innermost Cave

• Perseus lands on Medusas isle.
• Luke enters the Death Star.
• Harry enters the Forbidden Forest.
• Neo re-enters the Matrix.
• Frodo enters Shelobs Lair.

17
8. The Supreme Ordeal

• All hope is lost.
• A moment of loss, such as everything of value or
  even life itself.
• A time of darkness and uncertainty.

18
The Supreme Ordeal

• Medusa awakens!
• Luke is trapped in the trash compactor.
• His scar burning, Harry collapses in agony before
  Valdemort.
• Neo is betrayed by Cipher and trapped in the
  Matrix.
• Frodo collapses having been betrayed by Gollum
  and poisoned by Shelob.

19
9. Reward Seizing the Sword

• The character survives and is rewarded problems
  are solved insight is gained, realizations
  adopted, boons received all seems right.

20
Reward Seizing the Sword

• Perseus slays Medusa.
• Luke rescues Leia, finds the secret plans, and
  escapes from the Death Star.
• Harry solves the puzzles surrounding the
  Sorcerors Stone.
• Neo rescues Morpheus.
• Frodo destroys the Ring at Mt. Doom.

21
10. The Road Back

• Oh no! The character got comfortable too soon.
  Final - perhaps fatal - stumbling blocks and
  obstacles arise to challenge the character.

22
The Road Back

• The Kraken threatens Andromedas life.
• Darth Vader kills Ben Kenobi.
• Ron is disabled, Hermione leaves Harry confronts
  Voldemort alone.
• Neo tries to escape from Agent Smith but is
  killed.
• Frodo discovers the Shire is in ruins and ruled
  by Saruman.

23
11. Resurrection

• The second, ultimate, now-or-never, do-or-die
  confrontation the characters last chance to
  overcome the odds.

24
Resurrection

• Perseus defeats the Kraken, saving Andromeda.
• Luke destroys the Death Star.
• The magic of his scar protecting him, Harry
  defeats Valdemort and recovers the Sorcerors
  Stone.
• Neo, after being reborn with a kiss from Trinity,
  defeats Agent Smith.
• Frodo expels Saruman, liberating and restoring
  the Shire.

25
12. Return with the Elixir

• Ahhh! Good triumphs over evil, love saves the
  day, the hero returns home in triumph (and/or is
  often reconciled with his father), and all live
  happily ever after.

26
Return with the Elixir

• Perseus gains a kingdom and a queen.
• Luke (and Han and Chewbacca) is given awards and
  accolades.
• Harrys house wins the House Cup and he returns
  to Privet Drive wiser and stronger.
• Neo accepts and relishes his role as the Chosen
  One.
• Frodo gains a legendary reputation later he
  sails west with the Elves.

27
Other Classic Hero Stories

• Tomb Raider
• The Star Wars Trilogy
• Bible stories (Moses)
• Greek myths (Hercules)
• The Patriot, Braveheart
• The Lion King
• And many more

28
Want to know more?

• Look into works by these philosophers-thinkers-wri
  ters
• Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler.
• Questions, comments, feedback?
• reiff.p_at_district128.org.
• Paul Reiff
• Vernon Hills High School