Transcript Myth Structures

The Hero’s Journey
Harry Potter vs. Star Wars
The Hero’s Journey

Archetype – a recurring universal
character
 Examples
of archetypes: villain, hero, damsel in
distress, victim, artist, fool, etc.

Just like making a cake, there is a recipe
for having a hero. And, not all elements
must be present in one text.
The Ordinary World

Often where the story begins

Hero lives normal life with no idea that
things will soon radically change
The Ordinary World
Stairwell Cupboard
Tatooine
Call to Adventure

The hero is compelled to begin a quest

Life change is inevitable and will facilitate
the hero’s maturity
Call to Adventure
Hogwarts’ Invitation
Princess Leia Message
Refusal of the Call

Often a hero will reject their initial call to
adventure

Intuition causes them to deny their
responsibility and continue in “the ordinary
world”
Refusal of the Call
Hagrid must fetch Harry
Obi-Wan seeks out Luke
Meeting with the Mentor

Often after refusing their call, a mentor will
visit the hero to encourage their
engagement

Otherwise, mentor will later appear as a
guiding force for the hero, providing advice
and tools to win the eminent battle
Meeting with the Mentor
Head Master Albus Dumbledore
Master Yoda
Elderly and Wise
Elderly and Wise
Crossing the First Threshold

The initial point in which the hero decides
to become involved

Once this point has been crossed,
adventures ensue and the hero may never
fully return to “the ordinary world”
Crossing the First Threshold
The Sorting Hat
Tuskan Raider
Tests, Allies, Enemies

As the text progresses the hero will
acquire friends, endure countless tests,
and often be challenged by their enemies

Too few challenges results in “the sagging
middle,” slowing the plot
Allies (Friends)
Hermoine and Ron
Princess Leia and Han Solo
Hermoine is sister-like, Ron is
sidekick (they hook-up)
Leia is literal sister, Han Solo is
sidekick (they hook-up)
Primary Enemy
Lord Voldemort
Darth Vader
Approach to the “Inmost Cave”

An extremely dangerous part of the
journey

Often underground or in an ominous
location

The hero must confront a great fear
“Inmost Cave”
Chamber of Secrets
Trash Compactor
Ordeal

The ABSOLUTE worst thing that can
happen…does happen.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 inhale a new
breath…NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Ordeal
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reward

The hero breathes a sigh of relief

Enemy appears to be defeated and
celebrations ensue.

Often a tangible reward is obtained in this
phase
Reward
I am Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
The Road Back

It ain’t over yet!

Realization that there is still a task to
complete

Villain thought to be dead often rises again
to thwart the hero
The Road Back
He’s still alive!!!
He’s my dad!!!
Resurrection

The hero undergoes a figurative re-birth in
which they have transformed into the
person they were intended to become

The moral of the story is often revealed in
this stage
Resurrection
I am Amazing Again!!!!!!!!!!!
Return to normal

Hero often returns to “the ordinary world”

Their extraordinary lessons learned help
them go forward into an insightful future

Very often a happy (if not bitter-sweet)
ending
Other Elements

Unusual family situations

Animal familiar

The weapon only a hero can wield

An incurable injury
Unusual Family Situations
The Dursley Family
The Lars Family
Animal Familiar
Hedwig
R2-D2
The Weapon only a Hero can Wield
Harry’s Wand
Luke’s Light saber
An Incurable Injury
Harry’s Scar
Luke’s Mechanical Arm