Transcript Heroes on a Journey - Vernon Hills High School

“Heroes on a Journey”
Discovering what
Harry Potter, Neo,
Luke Skywalker,
Frodo Baggins,
and Perseus
share.
The Hero’s 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 Writer’s Journey by
Christopher Vogler
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The Application/Extension: Heroes live around us and
within us.
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 hero’s birth or ancestry are
mysterious or noble.)
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.
2. The Call to Adventure

Something happens to move the character
out of his comfort zone.
 A challenge, problem, temptation, earthshattering revelation, or traumatic event.
The Call To Adventure
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Perseus is challenged to kill
Medusa by Polydectes.
Artoo reveals part of Leia’s
message to Luke; Ben urges
him to join the rebellion.
Harry is invited to attend
Hogwart’s School.
Neo is given a message to
“follow the White Rabbit.”
Gandalf reveals the secrets of
Bilbo’s ring to Frodo.
3. Refusal of the Call

The Reluctant Hero.
 “I can’t,’ “Leave me out of it,” “Not me,”
“Not now.”
 The character is reluctant, disbelieving,
fearful.
Refusal of the Call

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Perseus distresses over
where to go and how to get
there.
Owen plays on Luke’s 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.
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.
Meeting the Mentor
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Athena & Hermes aid Perseus.
Merlin aids Arthur.
Ben Kenobi aids Luke.
Dumbledore aids Harry.
Morpheus aids Neo.
Gandalf aids Frodo
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.
Crossing the First Threshold

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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 Hogwart’s Express.
Neo chooses the red pill (not the blue one).
Frodo leaves the Shire; volunteers to take
the Ring to Mordor.
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.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies

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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 Hogwart’s.
Neo trains with Morpheus aboard the Nebuchanezzar.
Frodo travels east, evading Ringwraiths, Orcs, and other
bogies and baddies.
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.
Approach to the Innermost Cave
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Perseus lands on Medusa’s isle.
Luke enters the Death Star.
Harry enters the Forbidden Forest.
Neo re-enters the Matrix.
Frodo enters Shelob’s Lair.
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.
The Supreme Ordeal

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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.
9. Reward: Seizing the Sword

The character survives and is rewarded;
problems are solved; insight is gained,
realizations adopted, boons received; all
seems right.
Reward: Seizing the Sword
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Perseus slays Medusa.
Luke rescues Leia, finds the secret plans, and
escapes from the Death Star.
Harry solves the puzzles surrounding the
Sorceror’s Stone.
Neo rescues Morpheus.
Frodo destroys the Ring at Mt. Doom.
10. The Road Back

Oh no! The character got comfortable too
soon. Final - perhaps fatal - stumbling
blocks and obstacles arise to challenge the
character.
The Road Back

The Kraken threatens
Andromeda’s 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.
11. Resurrection

The second, ultimate, now-or-never, do-ordie confrontation; the character’s last
chance to overcome the odds.
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 Sorceror’s Stone.
 Neo, after being reborn with a kiss from
Trinity, defeats Agent Smith.
 Frodo expels Saruman, liberating and
restoring the Shire.
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.
Return with the Elixir
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Perseus gains a kingdom and a queen.
Luke (and Han and Chewbacca) is given
awards and accolades.
Harry’s “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.
Other “Classic” Hero Stories
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Tomb Raider
The Star Wars Trilogy
Bible stories (Moses)
Greek myths (Hercules)
The Patriot, Braveheart
The Lion King
And many more…
Want to know more?
Look into works by these
philosophers-thinkers-writers:
Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell,
Christopher Vogler.
Questions, comments, feedback?
[email protected].
Paul Reiff
Vernon Hills High School