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How Does The Journey Change The Hero?

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Dame Ellen MacArthur: How Does The Journey Change The Hero?

Part 6 of the TED Radio Hour episode The Hero's Journey .

About Dame Ellen MacArthur's TED Talk

After completing her harrowing solo sail around the world, Dame Ellen MacArthur describes how that journey transformed her.

About Dame Ellen MacArthur

Setting off in 2004, Dame Ellen MacArthur sailed 26,000 miles in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds — becoming the fastest person to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe. She was made a dame by the queen in 2005.

During her record-breaking solo sail, Dame Ellen came to a realization: our survival as a species depends on our reliance on a finite supply of resources.

In 2010, she launched the Ellen MacArthur Foundation , which works with government and business to transition from a largely wasteful linear economy to a regenerative circular economy.

She also runs the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which uses sailing to build confidence for kids following cancer treatment.

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What makes a hero? - Matthew Winkler

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What trials unite not only Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins but many of literature's most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes? Matthew Winkler takes us step-by-step through the crucial events that make or break a hero.

Think of your favorite book or movie. Does it follow (parts of) the hero’s journey pattern? Explain.

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• Animator Chad Yapyapan
• Producer Gerta Xhelo
• Director Kirill Yeretsky
• Educator Matthew Winkler
• Sound Designer Michael Feuser
• Composer Stephen LaRosa
• Artist Wing Luo
• Motion Graphics Animator Robertino Zambrano
• Narrator Matthew Winkler

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The Monomyth of the Hero’s Journey

What do Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, and Frodo all have in common with the heroes of ancient myths? What if I told you they are all variants of the same hero? Do you believe that? Joseph Campbell did. He studied myths from all over the world and published a book called The Hero With A Thousand Faces , retelling dozens of stories and explaining how each represents The Monomyth or Hero’s Journey.

What makes a hero? This TED-Ed lesson by Matthew Winkler describes the cycle of the Hero’s Journey, first conceived by Joseph Campbell in 1949.

From one to twelve, these stories include variations of these key events: Status quo, a call to adventure, assistance, departure, trials, approach, crisis, treasure, result, return, new life, resolution, and status quo again, “but upgraded to a new level. Nothing is quite the same” for the hero.

Listen for your call to adventure. Accept the challenge. Conquer your fear and claim the treasure you seek, and then do it all over again.

This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content.

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The hero's journey: a story structure as old as time, the hero's journey offers a powerful framework for creating quest-based stories emphasizing self-transformation..

Table of Contents

Holding out for a hero to take your story to the next level? 

The Hero’s Journey might be just what you’ve been looking for. Created by Joseph Campbell, this narrative framework packs mythic storytelling into a series of steps across three acts, each representing a crucial phase in a character's transformative journey.

Challenge . Growth . Triumph .

Whether you're penning a novel, screenplay, or video game, The Hero’s Journey is a tried-and-tested blueprint for crafting epic stories that transcend time and culture. Let’s explore the steps together and kickstart your next masterpiece.

What is the Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey is a famous template for storytelling, mapping a hero's adventurous quest through trials and tribulations to ultimate transformation. 

What are the Origins of the Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey was invented by Campbell in his seminal 1949 work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces , where he introduces the concept of the "monomyth."

A comparative mythologist by trade, Campbell studied myths from cultures around the world and identified a common pattern in their narratives. He proposed that all mythic narratives are variations of a single, universal story, structured around a hero's adventure, trials, and eventual triumph.

His work unveiled the archetypal hero’s path as a mirror to humanity’s commonly shared experiences and aspirations. It was subsequently named one of the All-Time 100 Nonfiction Books by TIME in 2011.

How are the Hero’s and Heroine’s Journeys Different? 

While both the Hero's and Heroine's Journeys share the theme of transformation, they diverge in their focus and execution.

The Hero’s Journey, as outlined by Campbell, emphasizes external challenges and a quest for physical or metaphorical treasures. In contrast, Murdock's Heroine’s Journey, explores internal landscapes, focusing on personal reconciliation, emotional growth, and the path to self-actualization.

In short, heroes seek to conquer the world, while heroines seek to transform their own lives; but…

Twelve Steps of the Hero’s Journey

So influential was Campbell’s monomyth theory that it's been used as the basis for some of the largest franchises of our generation: The Lord of the Rings , Harry Potter ...and George Lucas even cited it as a direct influence on Star Wars .

There are, in fact, several variations of the Hero's Journey, which we discuss further below. But for this breakdown, we'll use the twelve-step version outlined by Christopher Vogler in his book, The Writer's Journey (seemingly now out of print, unfortunately).

You probably already know the above stories pretty well so we’ll unpack the twelve steps of the Hero's Journey using Ben Gates’ journey in National Treasure as a case study—because what is more heroic than saving the Declaration of Independence from a bunch of goons?

Ye be warned: Spoilers ahead!

Act One: Departure

Step 1. the ordinary world.

The journey begins with the status quo—business as usual. We meet the hero and are introduced to the Known World they live in. In other words, this is your exposition, the starting stuff that establishes the story to come.

National Treasure begins in media res (preceded only by a short prologue), where we are given key information that introduces us to Ben Gates' world, who he is (a historian from a notorious family), what he does (treasure hunts), and why he's doing it (restoring his family's name).

With the help of his main ally, Riley, and a crew of other treasure hunters backed by a wealthy patron, he finds an 18th-century American ship in the Canadian Arctic, the Charlotte . Here, they find a ship-shaped pipe that presents a new riddle and later doubles as a key—for now, it's just another clue in the search for the lost treasure of the Templars, one that leads them to the Declaration of Independence.

Step 2. The Call to Adventure

The inciting incident takes place and the hero is called to act upon it. While they're still firmly in the Known World, the story kicks off and leaves the hero feeling out of balance. In other words, they are placed at a crossroads.

Ian (the wealthy patron of the Charlotte operation) steals the pipe from Ben and Riley and leaves them stranded. This is a key moment: Ian becomes the villain, Ben has now sufficiently lost his funding for this expedition, and if he decides to pursue the chase, he'll be up against extreme odds.

Step 3. Refusal of the Call

The hero hesitates and instead refuses their call to action. Following the call would mean making a conscious decision to break away from the status quo. Ahead lies danger, risk, and the unknown; but here and now, the hero is still in the safety and comfort of what they know.

Ben debates continuing the hunt for the Templar treasure. Before taking any action, he decides to try and warn the authorities: the FBI, Homeland Security, and the staff of the National Archives, where the Declaration of Independence is housed and monitored. Nobody will listen to him, and his family's notoriety doesn't help matters.

Step 4. Meeting the Mentor

The protagonist receives knowledge or motivation from a powerful or influential figure. This is a tactical move on the hero's part—remember that it was only the previous step in which they debated whether or not to jump headfirst into the unknown. By Meeting the Mentor, they can gain new information or insight, and better equip themselves for the journey they might to embark on.

Abigail, an archivist at the National Archives, brushes Ben and Riley off as being crazy, but Ben uses the interaction to his advantage in other ways—to seek out information about how the Declaration of Independence is stored and cared for, as well as what (and more importantly, who) else he might be up against in his own attempt to steal it.

In a key scene, we see him contemplate the entire operation while standing over the glass-encased Declaration of Independence. Finally, he firmly decides to pursue the treasure and stop Ian, uttering the famous line, "I'm gonna steal the Declaration of Independence."

Act Two: Initiation

Step 5. crossing the threshold.

The hero leaves the Known World to face the Unknown World. They are fully committed to the journey, with no way to turn back now. There may be a confrontation of some sort, and the stakes will be raised.

Ben and Riley infiltrate the National Archives during a gala and successfully steal the Declaration of Independence. But wait—it's not so easy. While stealing the Declaration of Independence, Abigail suspects something is up and Ben faces off against Ian.

Then, when trying to escape the building, Ben exits through the gift shop, where an attendant spots the document peeking out of his jacket. He is forced to pay for it, feigning that it's a replica—and because he doesn't have enough cash, he has to use his credit card, so there goes keeping his identity anonymous.

The game is afoot.

Step 6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

The hero explores the Unknown World. Now that they have firmly crossed the threshold from the Known World, the hero will face new challenges and possibly meet new enemies. They'll have to call upon their allies, new and old, in order to keep moving forward.

Abigail reluctantly joins the team under the agreement that she'll help handle the Declaration of Independence, given her background in document archiving and restoration. Ben and co. seek the aid of Ben's father, Patrick Gates, whom Ben has a strained relationship with thanks to years of failed treasure hunting that has created a rift between grandfather, father, and son. Finally, they travel around Philadelphia deciphering clues while avoiding both Ian and the FBI.

Step 7. Approach the Innermost Cave

The hero nears the goal of their quest, the reason they crossed the threshold in the first place. Here, they could be making plans, having new revelations, or gaining new skills. To put it in other familiar terms, this step would mark the moment just before the story's climax.

Ben uncovers a pivotal clue—or rather, he finds an essential item—a pair of bifocals with interchangeable lenses made by Benjamin Franklin. It is revealed that by switching through the various lenses, different messages will be revealed on the back of the Declaration of Independence. He's forced to split from Abigail and Riley, but Ben has never been closer to the treasure.

Step 8. The Ordeal

The hero faces a dire situation that changes how they view the world. All threads of the story come together at this pinnacle, the central crisis from which the hero will emerge unscathed or otherwise. The stakes will be at their absolute highest here.

Vogler details that in this stage, the hero will experience a "death," though it need not be literal. In your story, this could signify the end of something and the beginning of another, which could itself be figurative or literal. For example, a certain relationship could come to an end, or it could mean someone "stuck in their ways" opens up to a new perspective.

In National Treasure , The FBI captures Ben and Ian makes off with the Declaration of Independence—all hope feels lost. To add to it, Ian reveals that he's kidnapped Ben's father and threatens to take further action if Ben doesn't help solve the final clues and lead Ian to the treasure.

Ben escapes the FBI with Ian's help, reunites with Abigail and Riley, and leads everyone to an underground structure built below Trinity Church in New York City. Here, they manage to split from Ian once more, sending him on a goose chase to Boston with a false clue, and proceed further into the underground structure.

Though they haven't found the treasure just yet, being this far into the hunt proves to Ben's father, Patrick, that it's real enough. The two men share an emotional moment that validates what their family has been trying to do for generations.

Step 9. Reward

This is it, the moment the hero has been waiting for. They've survived "death," weathered the crisis of The Ordeal, and earned the Reward for which they went on this journey.

Now, free of Ian's clutches and with some light clue-solving, Ben, Abigail, Riley, and Patrick keep progressing through the underground structure and eventually find the Templar's treasure—it's real and more massive than they could have imagined. Everyone revels in their discovery while simultaneously looking for a way back out.

Act Three: Return

Step 10. the road back.

It's time for the journey to head towards its conclusion. The hero begins their return to the Known World and may face unexpected challenges. Whatever happens, the "why" remains paramount here (i.e. why the hero ultimately chose to embark on their journey).

This step marks a final turning point where they'll have to take action or make a decision to keep moving forward and be "reborn" back into the Known World.

Act Three of National Treasure is admittedly quite short. After finding the treasure, Ben and co. emerge from underground to face the FBI once more. Not much of a road to travel back here so much as a tunnel to scale in a crypt.

Step 11. Resurrection

The hero faces their ultimate challenge and emerges victorious, but forever changed. This step often requires a sacrifice of some sort, and having stepped into the role of The Hero™, they must answer to this.

Ben is given an ultimatum— somebody has to go to jail (on account of the whole stealing-the-Declaration-of-Independence thing). But, Ben also found a treasure worth millions of dollars and that has great value to several nations around the world, so that counts for something.

Ultimately, Ben sells Ian out, makes a deal to exonerate his friends and family, and willingly hands the treasure over to the authorities. Remember: he wanted to find the treasure, but his "why" was to restore the Gates family name, so he won regardless.

Step 12. Return With the Elixir

Finally, the hero returns home as a new version of themself, the elixir is shared amongst the people, and the journey is completed full circle.

The elixir, like many other elements of the hero's journey, can be literal or figurative. It can be a tangible thing, such as an actual elixir meant for some specific purpose, or it could be represented by an abstract concept such as hope, wisdom, or love.

Vogler notes that if the Hero's Journey results in a tragedy, the elixir can instead have an effect external to the story—meaning that it could be something meant to affect the audience and/or increase their awareness of the world.

In the final scene of National Treasure , we see Ben and Abigail walking the grounds of a massive estate. Riley pulls up in a fancy sports car and comments on how they could have gotten more money. They all chat about attending a museum exhibit in Cairo (Egypt).

In one scene, we're given a lot of closure: Ben and co. received a hefty payout for finding the treasure, Ben and Abigail are a couple now, and the treasure was rightfully spread to those it benefitted most—in this case, countries who were able to reunite with significant pieces of their history. Everyone's happy, none of them went to jail despite the serious crimes committed, and they're all a whole lot wealthier. Oh, Hollywood.

Variations of the Hero's Journey

Plot structure is important, but you don't need to follow it exactly; and, in fact, your story probably won't. Your version of the Hero's Journey might require more or fewer steps, or you might simply go off the beaten path for a few steps—and that's okay!

What follows are three additional versions of the Hero's Journey, which you may be more familiar with than Vogler's version presented above.

Dan Harmon's Story Circle (or, The Eight-Step Hero's Journey)

Screenwriter Dan Harmon has riffed on the Hero's Journey by creating a more compact version, the Story Circle —and it works especially well for shorter-format stories such as television episodes, which happens to be what Harmon writes.

The Story Circle comprises eight simple steps with a heavy emphasis on the hero's character arc:

• The hero is in a zone of comfort...
• But they want something.
• They enter an unfamiliar situation...
• And adapt to it by facing trials.
• They get what they want...
• But they pay a heavy price for it.
• They return to their familiar situation...
• Having changed.

You may have noticed, but there is a sort of rhythm here. The eight steps work well in four pairs, simplifying the core of the Hero's Journey even further:

• The hero is in a zone of comfort, but they want something.
• They enter an unfamiliar situation and have to adapt via new trials.
• They get what they want, but they pay a price for it.
• They return to their zone of comfort, forever changed.

If you're writing shorter fiction, such as a short story or novella, definitely check out the Story Circle. It's the Hero's Journey minus all the extraneous bells & whistles.

Ten-Step Hero's Journey

The ten-step Hero's Journey is similar to the twelve-step version we presented above. It includes most of the same steps except for Refusal of the Call and Meeting the Mentor, arguing that these steps aren't as essential to include; and, it moves Crossing the Threshold to the end of Act One and Reward to the end of Act Two.

• The Ordinary World
• The Call to Adventure
• Crossing the Threshold
• Tests, Allies, Enemies
• Approach the Innermost Cave
• The Road Back
• Resurrection
• Return with Elixir

We've previously written about the ten-step hero's journey in a series of essays separated by act: Act One (with a prologue), Act Two , and Act Three .

Twelve-Step Hero's Journey: Version Two

Again, the second version of the twelve-step hero's journey is very similar to the one above, save for a few changes, including in which story act certain steps appear.

This version skips The Ordinary World exposition and starts right at The Call to Adventure; then, the story ends with two new steps in place of Return With Elixir: The Return and The Freedom to Live.

• The Refusal of the Call
• Meeting the Mentor
• Test, Allies, Enemies
• Approaching the Innermost Cave
• The Resurrection
• The Return*
• The Freedom to Live*

In the final act of this version, there is more of a focus on an internal transformation for the hero. They experience a metamorphosis on their journey back to the Known World, return home changed, and go on to live a new life, uninhibited.

Seventeen-Step Hero's Journey

Finally, the granddaddy of heroic journeys: the seventeen-step Hero's Journey. This version includes a slew of extra steps your hero might face out in the expanse.

• Refusal of the Call
• Supernatural Aid (aka Meeting the Mentor)
• Belly of the Whale*: This added stage marks the hero's immediate descent into danger once they've crossed the threshold.
• Road of Trials (...with Allies, Tests, and Enemies)
• Meeting with the Goddess/God*: In this stage, the hero meets with a new advisor or powerful figure, who equips them with the knowledge or insight needed to keep progressing forward.
• Woman as Temptress (or simply, Temptation)*: Here, the hero is tempted, against their better judgment, to question themselves and their reason for being on the journey. They may feel insecure about something specific or have an exposed weakness that momentarily holds them back.
• Atonement with the Father (or, Catharthis)*: The hero faces their Temptation and moves beyond it, shedding free from all that holds them back.
• Apotheosis (aka The Ordeal)
• The Ultimate Boon (aka the Reward)
• Refusal of the Return*: The hero wonders if they even want to go back to their old life now that they've been forever changed.
• The Magic Flight*: Having decided to return to the Known World, the hero needs to actually find a way back.
• Rescue From Without*: Allies may come to the hero's rescue, helping them escape this bold, new world and return home.
• Crossing of the Return Threshold (aka The Return)
• Master of Two Worlds*: Very closely resembling The Resurrection stage in other variations, this stage signifies that the hero is quite literally a master of two worlds—The Known World and the Unknown World—having conquered each.
• Freedom to Live

Again, we skip the Ordinary World opening here. Additionally, Acts Two and Three look pretty different from what we've seen so far, although, the bones of the Hero's Journey structure remain.

The Eight Hero’s Journey Archetypes

The Hero is, understandably, the cornerstone of the Hero’s Journey, but they’re just one of eight key archetypes that make up this narrative framework.

In The Writer's Journey , Vogler outlined seven of these archetypes, only excluding the Ally, which we've included below. Here’s a breakdown of all eight with examples: 

1. The Hero

As outlined, the Hero is the protagonist who embarks on a transformative quest or journey. The challenges they overcome represent universal human struggles and triumphs. 

Vogler assigned a "primary function" to each archetype—helpful for establishing their role in a story. The Hero's primary function is "to service and sacrifice."

Example: Neo from The Matrix , who evolves from a regular individual into the prophesied savior of humanity.

2. The Mentor

A wise guide offering knowledge, tools, and advice, Mentors help the Hero navigate the journey and discover their potential. Their primary function is "to guide."

Example: Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid imparts not only martial arts skills but invaluable life lessons to Daniel.

3. The Ally

Companions who support the Hero, Allies provide assistance, friendship, and moral support throughout the journey. They may also become a friends-to-lovers romantic partner. 

Not included in Vogler's list is the Ally, though we'd argue they are essential nonetheless. Let's say their primary function is "to aid and support."

Example: Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings , a loyal friend and steadfast supporter of Frodo.

4. The Herald

The Herald acts as a catalyst to initiate the Hero's Journey, often presenting a challenge or calling the hero to adventure. Their primary function is "to warn or challenge."

Example: Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games , whose selection at the Reaping sets Katniss’s journey into motion.

5. The Trickster

A character who brings humor and unpredictability, challenges conventions, and offers alternative perspectives or solutions. Their primary function is "to disrupt."

Example: Loki from Norse mythology exemplifies the trickster, with his cunning and chaotic influence.

6. The Shapeshifter

Ambiguous figures whose allegiance and intentions are uncertain. They may be a friend one moment and a foe the next. Their primary function is "to question and deceive."

Example: Catwoman from the Batman universe often blurs the line between ally and adversary, slinking between both roles with glee.

7. The Guardian

Protectors of important thresholds, Guardians challenge or test the Hero, serving as obstacles to overcome or lessons to be learned. Their primary function is "to test."

Example: The Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail literally bellows “None shall pass!”—a quintessential ( but not very effective ) Guardian.

8. The Shadow

Represents the Hero's inner conflict or an antagonist, often embodying the darker aspects of the hero or their opposition. Their primary function is "to destroy."

Example: Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender; initially an adversary, his journey parallels the Hero’s path of transformation.

While your story does not have to use all of the archetypes, they can help you develop your characters and visualize how they interact with one another—especially the Hero.

For example, take your hero and place them in the center of a blank worksheet, then write down your other major characters in a circle around them and determine who best fits into which archetype. Who challenges your hero? Who tricks them? Who guides them? And so on...

Stories that Use the Hero’s Journey

Not a fan of saving the Declaration of Independence? Check out these alternative examples of the Hero’s Journey to get inspired: 

• Epic of Gilgamesh : An ancient Mesopotamian epic poem thought to be one of the earliest examples of the Hero’s Journey (and one of the oldest recorded stories).
• The Lion King (1994): Simba's exile and return depict a tale of growth, responsibility, and reclaiming his rightful place as king.
• The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo: Santiago's quest for treasure transforms into a journey of self-discovery and personal enlightenment.
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman: A young girl's adventure in a parallel world teaches her about courage, family, and appreciating her own reality.
• Kung Fu Panda (2008): Po's transformation from a clumsy panda to a skilled warrior perfectly exemplifies the Hero's Journey. Skadoosh!

The Hero's Journey is so generalized that it's ubiquitous. You can plop the plot of just about any quest-style narrative into its framework and say that the story follows the Hero's Journey. Try it out for yourself as an exercise in getting familiar with the method.

Will the Hero's Journey Work For You?

As renowned as it is, the Hero's Journey works best for the kinds of tales that inspired it: mythic stories.

Writers of speculative fiction may gravitate towards this method over others, especially those writing epic fantasy and science fiction (big, bold fantasy quests and grand space operas come to mind).

The stories we tell today are vast and varied, and they stretch far beyond the dealings of deities, saving kingdoms, or acquiring some fabled "elixir." While that may have worked for Gilgamesh a few thousand years ago, it's not always representative of our lived experiences here and now.

If you decide to give the Hero's Journey a go, we encourage you to make it your own! The pieces of your plot don't have to neatly fit into the structure, but you can certainly make a strong start on mapping out your story.

Hero's Journey Campfire Template

The Timeline Module in Campfire offers a versatile canvas to plot out each basic component of your story while featuring nested "notebooks."

Simply double-click on each event card in your timeline to open up a canvas specific to that card. This allows you to look at your plot at the highest level, while also adding as much detail for each plot element as needed!

If you're just hearing about Campfire for the first time, it's free to sign up—forever! Let's plot the most epic of hero's journeys 👇

Lessons From the Hero’s Journey

The Hero's Journey offers a powerful framework for creating stories centered around growth, adventure, and transformation.

If you want to develop compelling characters, spin out engaging plots, and write books that express themes of valor and courage, consider The Hero’s Journey your blueprint. So stop holding out for a hero, and start writing!

Does your story mirror the Hero's Journey? Let us know in the comments below.

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The hero’s journey narrative: the pandemic in focus.

• June 14, 2021
• Anushka Bose
• Social Science

What do Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Cinderella all have in common? While the plots vastly differ from one another, they are structured similarly through the framework commonly known as “The Hero’s Journey.” This storytelling narrative was coined by Joseph Campbell and has become the blueprint for many fairytales and Hollywood films alike. The Hero’s Journey narrative has modern implications as well. Throughout this pandemic, many of us likely wanted to think of stories where the hero/heroine overcomes their fears, slays the dragons, and comes out stronger on the other side. Read on to learn more about the hero’s journey narrative and how it intertwines with our collective pandemic experiences.

The Hero’s Journey Narrative: Transformation

While we desperately cling on to the victorious endings of stories, we often overlook the stages of the journey that transform the protagonist. Understanding the journey of the hero(ine) can often help us understand our own battles. Looking at your own life through the lense of the hero’s journey narrative can help you understand it.

R ead more about the basics of the Hero’s Journey and its representation in movies . 

The Hero’s Journey Narrative Background

The Hero’s journey was first noted in the renowned book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces , published in 1949. Campbell studied comparative mythology and religion, and was fascinated by the stories and myths characterized through various religions. In efforts to standardize these myths, Campbell used the concept of a “ monomyth,” which refers to a composite theory to understand all myths—spanning across space and time—as variations of a single story. The work of many notable figures, including Carl Jung and his field of analytical psychology , influenced Campbell. Analytical psychology employed the use of archetypes to better understand universal meanings found in religion, art, literature, and dreams. The “Hero,” is one such Jungian archetype , and the primary motif of the hero archetype is the desire to answer a call to adventure, overcome obstacles, to confront the dragon that is guarding the treasure, and return to the “ordinary world” with “elixir” to help and inspire others. The Hero’s journey narrative is far more profound than a storytelling schema used in fairytales and world cinema—it’s a narratology that can be applied to the daily life of the individual, as well as a collective event like the Covid-19 Pandemic.  

Hero’s Journey Narrative Structure  

Campbell breaks down the blueprint of the narratology into three acts. You can read more about the significance of each stage in detail here. Act I: The Separation  The Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, the Refusal, Meeting the Mentor Act II: Initiation  Crossing the Threshold, Tests, Allies & Enemies, Innermost Cave, Supreme Ordeal   Act III: Return   The Road Back, Resurrection, Return with the Elixir  

Separation from the Ordinary World  

The Hero’s journey narrative always begins in the “ordinary world,” which refers to the everyday, pedestrian life of the individual. This stage is predictable and safe,  verzuz tv online and the hero is largely oblivious of the adventure that he will soon undertake.  Think about March 2020 — that was the month that the entire world collectively departed from the ordinary world. The pandemic pulled the rugs of predictability and safety out from beneath our feet.  

Crossing the Threshold into the Fray

Soon after, we needed to respond to the call to adventure. In the case of the pandemic, the “call to adventure,” wasn’t a call we had much of a choice with — we had to respond to the call because not answering it would result in a direct threat to our safety. And while in Marvel movies and fairytales the step of “crossing the threshold” occurs after the initial stage of leaving the ordinary world, in the case of the pandemic, we simultaneously “crossed the threshold” along with responding to the “call to adventure”.  However, we all money heist internally fought with accepting our entrance into the “special world,” in the “refusal of the call” stage. Some were in denial, some were skeptical, and some were fearful—fear of losing one’s livelihood from lockdowns.

Allies and Enemies 

To lockdown or not lockdown? To mask or not to mask? We looked to our collective mentors for answers to these questions. For practical purposes, the mentors in the pandemic were public health officials and doctors, the folks that were actively engaged in bad bunny concert in understanding the virus. They guided us through the wildfire, shared information in the light of new data, and helped counties, cities, and governments delineate their public health protocols.  But as time passed, and we developed a kind of sangfroid halfway through the pandemic, many people began to meet their friends in socially distanced manners. In determining who was safe to meet, a lot of us wondered, who can we trust right now? Who are our “allies and enemies,” in the pandemic’s hero’s journey?  Maybe your perception of a close coworker, friend, or acquaintance changed when they acted in ways that contrasted with your definition of acceptable behavior during the pandemic. For me, there were a few pomsky adoption   instances when I asked myself, “Gosh, just how do I tell my friend that I don’t want to see her because I don’t trust that she is being ‘safe’, or worse, point out that her reckless behavior can compromise the health of others?” That one simple question unpacked so much about friendship, trust, and respect.

Approach to the Inmost Cave   

In the Hero’s Journey, the “Approach to the Inmost Cave,” represents the gradual movement towards the precipice of the danger where the “object of the quest” is hidden. The object of our collective quest were the vaccines, which sadly became another contested debate. And in dj headphones privileged communities where people had access to multiple vaccines, suddenly people started playing the Snow-White mirror game. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, which vaccine is the best of them all?” People in most countries did not have that luxury. 

In the hero’s journey, the hero earns a reward after surviving the challenge. The reward can show up in many ways — knowledge, accolade, appreciation, a magical sword, an elixir, etc. For many of us, the reward was receiving our vaccines. Aas a result, ball drop live lockdowns gradually ended in many parts of the world, and many hard-hit businesses slowly began to recover. While most of us in the U.S. have been fortunate to receive it, most countries are still suspended in this process. The pandemic isn’t over until the entire world joins us on the “road back.”

Reflection: The Dichotomy of Vigilance

While we all collectively struggled during the pandemic, there were various ordeals that were unique to our individual stories, and these ordeals often included confronting some of our biggest fears.  Personally, I feared fear itself. I didn’t want to live in constant vigilance. Even when I let my guard down, I had this free-floating anxiety that something bad was going to happen. That is the thing about vigilance—it’s a closed posture, a state of contraction. You can’t enjoy life in a contracted state. Not really. You have to slowly release, unclench, and signal the cavalry to retreat in order to feel joy. While we are lucky in the U.S. bonnaroo 2022 live where the pandemic is mostly under control, the question of a “relapse” is still on everyone’s mind. With the delta variant becoming the dominant strain, people are becoming a little more vigilant again.   Those of us who have family living in countries where the pandemic’s “supreme ordeal” is still in play, we are not out of the woods. The thorns of worry, fear, and anticipation linger around our minds.   In those moments where I feel I am losing myself to fear, I try to detach and find some perspective. I try to remember Campbell’s quote, “your sacred space is where you find yourself over and over again.” Removing the thorns of trepidation and finding yourself in that maze is a feat in and of itself.

The Road Back  

Today, many of us are on the hero’s journey’s stage of “The Road Back.” The road back from the listless mode of being to feeling the childish joy of life in our bones again.   However, the “road back” isn’t as simplistic as it sounds. Similar to “crossing the threshold” into the “special world,” the road back signifies “re-crossing” the threshold into the “ordinary world.” In this stage, the Hero might not know how to return back to the ordinary world, after the way he’s been morphed and changed in the special world. A ringing theme in the Hero’s journey is that the hero suffers a metaphorical death in the special world but is resurrected before he re-enters the ordinary world. Think about which parts of your inner world/metaphorical self had to die a venom 2 little bits this past year because you were hyper-focused on survival. While some parts of us died, other parts of ourselves became repressed. How could they have not? There is no room for desire when your primary need—survival—is threatened. I think we can all relate to Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love, when she said, “It’s not that I need easy, I just can’t have it so hard.” I hope we won’t have it so hard anymore. I hope we can awaken and heal some of those repressed parts of ourselves.

Return with the Elixir 

The last leg of the Hero’s Journey is the “return with the elixir.” When the hero re-crosses the threshold to enter back into the “ordinary world,” he enters as a changed and different person, with the spells, swords, and battle wounds he acquired from the “special world.” He returns to the “ordinary world” with the Elixir to share with others, which can come in the form of knowledge, support, love, and wisdom. Many individuals who fought and survived Covid provided the entire medical community with the “elixir” of data about the virus. In Margot Gage Witvleit’s TEDxMileHigh Talk, she explains her journey through Covid-19. But through her will to fight, she recovered and returned from her supreme ordeal with the “elixir,” in the form of knowledge about COVID-19, its relation to chronic medical conditions, and physician ethics. Margot’s flight through this ordeal is resemblant of many steps of the Hero(ine’s) journey.

Reflection: The Significance of the Monomyth

While world cinema, literature, and fairy tales depict various versions of the hero’s journey, it is ultimately a narration about the human experience. The hero’s journey is not an ancient myth that is lost in space and time. The hero’s journey is here and now. It is woven into the fabric of our heart, and into our everyday lives. Whether we know it or not, we are going through the motions of some stage or the other. While we are all have unique stories, the hero’s journey reminds us that the “monomyth” is the story of the everyman. We can find some comfort in that. We’ve collectively made it this far in the hero’s journey. Let’s keep it together on our “road back” into the “ordinary world” and await the celebratory moment, when the director calls, “And scene.”

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Teaching the Hero’s Journey

To introduce the Hero’s Journey, I first teach my students about the Hero’s Journey. Then, I show the Ted Ed video “What Makes a Hero?” by Matthew Winkler. This video is spectacular for a couple reasons. First, I love how it presents the Hero’s Journey in relation to a clock and a cycle. This visual sticks with the students. I also like how this video relates to the notion of the Hero’s Journey to students in their everyday lives.

Once we go over the video, we then read a short story and track the protagonist’s journey as a hero. Together, we identify each element of the Hero’s Journey cycle as outlined in the video and then discuss the qualities that make the character a hero. This helps me gauge whether or not my students are ready for the Hero’s Journey project. I have a graphic organizer in my Sticky Note Literary Analysis Unit.

The Hero’s Journey poster project is one of my favorite projects of the year. Students form groups of 2-3 and select a movie or book that they feel is a quintessential representation of the Hero’s Journey. Together, they discuss the movie and create a poster that represents all of the elements of the Hero’s Journey. I provide my students with a tabloid size piece of paper (affiliate link) for the project so they have more space to create.

To conclude the assignment, I have students present their findings to the class so that they can practice their presentation and public speaking skills.

I usually give my students 2-3 days of class time to work in their groups.

Teaching the Hero’s Journey: the 12 Stages

Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey is a narrative structure that describes the typical stages that a hero undergoes in a story. Following along with the arch, these are the 12 stages of the hero’s journey.

• The Ordinary World: The hero begins in a normal, mundane world, often unaware of the adventure that awaits.
• The Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call to leave their ordinary world and embark on a journey.
• Refusal of the Call: The hero initially hesitates or refuses the call, often due to fear or a sense of inadequacy.
• Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor or guide who provides guidance, advice, or tools for the journey.
• Crossing the First Threshold: The hero commits to the adventure and crosses into the unknown, leaving their ordinary world behind.
• Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero faces a series of challenges, makes new friends, and encounters adversaries on the journey.
• Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero approaches a critical point in the journey, often facing their greatest fear or confronting a powerful enemy.
• Ordeal: The hero undergoes a significant trial or ordeal that tests their abilities and resolve.
• Reward (Seizing the Sword): After overcoming the ordeal, the hero earns a reward or gains a valuable insight that propels them forward.
• The Road Back: The hero begins the journey back to their ordinary world, often pursued by enemies or facing additional challenges.
• Resurrection: The hero faces a final, often life-threatening challenge that transforms them and solidifies their hero status.
• Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to their ordinary world with newfound knowledge, a treasure, or a boon that benefits themselves and others.

This is the first of two blog posts that outlines how I teach the Hero’s Journey. The next post will be about short stories and poems that you can use in your classroom when teaching the Hero’s Journey.

12 Comments

I love the idea of this project. Students are making connections between their favorite movies or tv shows and the concept they are learning. I want to revisit this blog post once I am a teacher and see if I can create something similar based on my curriculum.

Hi Angel, Thank you for reading.

Hi! This is great!

What were the texts (poems and short stories) that you would use to teach the hero's journey?

Hi Yinka, Thank you for reading. I will be publishing a blog post this weekend about the literature I use when teaching hero's journey.

I did a long unit with my high school students where we watched the cartoon mini Series Over the Garden Wall then plotted the moments of the Hero’s Journey together.

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I love this project. I would like to try it with my grade 11 ESL students.

I forget to ask: Which short story do you use with your graphic organizer?

One of my favorite stories to use is Contents of a Dead Man's Pockets.

I so love this project. Will the project guidelines and rubric be available for purchase on your TPT store? Thanks so much for sharing this great idea!

I don't have a rubric for this assignment right now. It is one that I give mostly full credit on as long as students mostly get the concept.

I have been tinkering with adjusting my units for next year so that there is a cohesive, year-long focus. I never thought about teaching The Hero's Journey first thing, but I like the sound of this! Coincidentally, my first short story is "Thank You, M'am" which you mentioned in the second post. Thanks yet again for making me a better teacher!

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Literature & Composition (LITC-200): The Hero's Journey ~ Exercise

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The Hero's Journey - TED Radio Hour

What makes a hero? - Matthew Winkler

• What makes a hero? View the Full TED-Ed Original Lesson What trials unite not only Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins but many of literature's most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes? Matthew Winkler takes us step-by-step through the crucial events that make or break a hero.

The Timeless Tale of the Hero's Journey: Full Film

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Maxx Crosby on Raider Legends: Reverence, Inspiration

The Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby talked about Silver and Black heroes -- and his journey to becoming one.

• Author: Michael France

In this story:

Maxx Crosby has quickly become a superstar for the Las Vegas Raiders. The edge rusher has come a long way from a fourth-round pick and consistently shows why he is not just an elite player, but a great Raider.

During his Monday presser, Crosby addressed being validated by Hall-of-Fame pass rusher Howie Long, who said Crosby could play on a line with Long and the late All-Pro Lyle Alzado.

"It's super honoring. It's humbling, to say the least," Crosby said. "Those guys, I mean that's who I look up to. At the end of the day, those dudes changed the game. They were pioneers in this organization."

Long and Alzado played on the Raiders' defensive line that helped the team win Super Bowl XVIII in 1984.

Crosby's knowledge and appreciation for Raider heritage did not stop there.

"Ted Hendricks is another one," he said. " ... Charles Woodson, I mean I can go on and on, George Atkinson, those dudes are the ones who set the blueprint. And I constantly am asking them questions, so to hear [the praise] from Howie, it's an absolute honor and it just gives me more inspiration to become the best version of myself."

Hendricks was an All-Pro linebacker who played on every Super Bowl-winning Raider team. Woodson was an All-Pro during his time with the Raiders and arguably the best defensive back in franchise history. Atkinson was All-AFL and helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl in 1976.

Last season, Crosby earned a 92 player grade from Pro Football Focus and was rated the 11th-best player in the league.

"One of the most consistent edge rushers in the league," PFF wrote. "Crosby is also arguably the best run defender among that group. He racked up 94 total pressures over the season and posted a 92.7 PFF run-defense grade despite battling through a knee injury that resulted in some gruesome-looking swelling at times."

"In reality, I have 52 career sacks -- that ain't getting me to where I want to go," Crosby said. "I'm just getting started and that's what really pushes me is being the best version of myself."

In acknowledging the Raiders of the past, Crosby knows what it takes to be the Raider of the future.

"It starts with guys like Howie Long and dudes that set that standard, and I want to set that standard for the new wave of guys coming in the NFL and everybody that steps in this building."

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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Developing The Heroic Journey Mindset