the hero's journey activity

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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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How to Teach the Hero’s Journey: Engaging Students with the Monomyth Story Structure

Looking for advice on how to teach the Hero’s Journey in your secondary ELA class? Between a unit outline, a list of teachable titles, and engaging activities, this post is just what you need to get started.

What defines a hero?

That’s the simple question I love to open with when teaching the Hero’s Journey in secondary ELA. The best part? As students partake in an engaging discussion about their favorite heroes and the qualities that make them so great, they are unknowingly laying the foundation for your lesson. Because what your students might not realize is that all heroes, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what heroic quest they complete, all have something in common.

And that, my teacher friend, is the essence of the Hero’s Journey.

Keep reading to learn more about teaching the Hero’s Journey and my best tips for making it an engaging voyage for your students.

What Is the Hero’s Journey and Why Is It Important?

The Hero’s Journey is a classic narrative pattern that traces the transformative trek of a protagonist from their ordinary world into the unknown. During this journey, the character sets out on some form of adventure, meets mentors along the way, faces various obstacles, and overcomes challenges. In the end, they return home a hero equipped with newfound knowledge, perspective, or a physical object for the greater good.

This archetypal structure is as old as time and can be found in myths, legends, and stories throughout history. However, it’s widely used in modern literature and cinema as well. Luke Skywalker? Hero. Katniss Everdeen? Hero. The same can be said for characters ranging from Harry Potter to Spiderman. The Hero’s Journey can be traced throughout movies like Finding Nemo , The Lion King , The Wizard of Oz , Moana , Frozen , and even Shrek . I mean the list goes on and on.

Why Teach the Hero’s Journey?

By exploring this archetypal pattern, students can recognize and analyze the deeper meaning behind a wide variety of narratives, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for storytelling. However, the importance of The Hero’s Journey extends beyond literature—and that’s really why it’s important.

The Hero’s Journey is a reflection of a universal human experience of growth and self-discovery. (What teenager can’t relate to that?) Therefore, students can apply the monomyth to their own lives. They can take what they learned and use it to see their inner hero as they answer their own calls to adventures, face challenges, conquer their fears, and come out on the other side with newfound insights and knowledge.

It’s this real-life connection that gives the Hero’s Journey its true power and explains why the literary framework has stood the test of time.

What Are the 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey can be broken down into 12 main phases. While not all heroes experience every stage in the same way, it goes a little something like this:

The Ordinary World: An introduction to the protagonist’s everyday life, relationships, and any challenges or limitations they face are first introduced.
The Call to Adventure: The protagonist receives a compelling invitation or challenge that initiates the on the heroic journey.
Refusal of the Call: The protagonist resists the call to adventure due to fear, doubt, or a sense of inadequacy.
Meeting the Mentor: The protagonist encounters a mentor figure who provides guidance, advice, and assistance needed for the journey.
Crossing the Threshold: The protagonist leaves the familiar and ordinary world behind and enters the unknown.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The protagonist encounters various obstacles,enemies, and allies that test their will, determination and character.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: The protagonist prepares for a significant challenge or confrontation, symbolizing their innermost fears, doubts, or weaknesses.
Ordeal: The protagonist is pushed to their limits when faced with their greatest challenge, undergoing a transformative experience.
Reward: After overcoming the ordeal, the protagonist is rewarded with something, often knowledge, that empowers them to continue their journey.
The Road Back: The protagonist begins a journey back to the ordinary world.
Resurrection: They face a final challenge, where they must apply everything they have learned and experienced.
Return with the Elixir: The protagonist returns and is reunited with the ordinary world, having been transformed by “the elixir”—an object, knowledge, or insight—for the greater good.

How to Teach the Hero’s Journey

Want to maintain student engagement throughout the trek of teaching the Hero’s Journey? Read through the steps below for an easy-to-follow outline to bring the narrative pattern to life in your classroom.

Step 1: Begin with a Conversation

Before formally introducing the concept, get students thinking (and engaged) with a simple conversation. Consider your essential questions for the unit and let them guide your initial discussion. Have students reflect on the heroes in their lives, asking them to work together to define what makes a hero in the first place. Here are a few questions you can use to get started:

What does it mean to be a hero?
Who do you consider as heroes in your life?
Do all heroes share certain traits?
Are heroes born or made?
How can an individual change by taking heroic action?
Do heroes have responsibilities to themselves? To others? To Society?
What draws us to stories about heroes, real or fiction?

Step 2: Introduce the Concept

Next, provide students with a clear definition of the Hero’s Journey and explain its 12 stages. It’s helpful to use visual aids such as diagrams or infographics to help students visualize the structure as a full circle and transformative journey. Additionally, you can incorporate brief videos, like this TED-Ed , to provide an overview of the journey, too.

Step 3: Start with Low-Stakes Application

Once students understand what the Hero’s Journey is, have them work together to think of relevant examples of characters or plotlines that follow the pattern. As a class, create a list of familiar characters in popular movies and books that they believe represent the Hero’s Journey. This is a low-stakes way to get them to start applying the concept. Note: You do not need to dive into deep analysis here. Don’t worry, that comes next.

Step 3: Analyze Examples

Before diving into a more complex text, check for understanding using examples from well-known stories or films. Analyze a popular movie plot, working as a class to identify each stage of the Hero’s Journey. Pause to discuss the significance of key moments and check for comprehension. Encourage students to share their observations and interpretations of the Hero’s Journey along the way.

Strive to incorporate modern examples of the Hero’s Journey that resonate with your students’ interests and experiences. This will heighten student engagement and help them see the relevance of the Hero’s Journey in their own lives.

Step 4: Bring in the Literature

Whether you decide to teach the Hero’s Journey using short stories or a novel, select texts that provide clear examples of the narrative pattern. If this is the first time your students are working with the Hero’s Journey, analyze the selected literature together to ensure understanding along the way. Scaffold the analysis by using a mix of read-alouds, turn and talks, group work, class discussions, comprehension questions, and quick writes. Additionally, have students track the progress of the Hero’s journey in their notes or using a graphic organizer.

Step 5: Apply Student Knowledge

Provide students with various opportunities to apply their knowledge of the Hero’s Journey through writing assignments, creative projects , or group presentations. Start with simple tasks, such as identifying the stages in a short story, and gradually move towards more complex projects, like crafting their own Hero’s Journey narratives or writing a literary analysis essay .

What to Read When Teaching the Hero’s Journey?

Whether you’re looking to pull excerpts or to dive into full-length texts, here are some engaging titles you can use in your secondary classroom when teaching the Hero’s Journey:

● The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien ● Life of Pi by Yann Martel ● To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ● The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain ● Lord of the Flies by William Golding ● The Odyssey by Homer ● The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho ● The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum ● The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ● The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan ● Holes by Louis Sachar ● Divergent by Veronica Roth ● Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

On the other hand, if you’re looking for short stories for teaching the Hero’s Journey, read this post here.

Exciting Activities to Engage Students with the Hero’s Journey

Whether you’re looking for formative check-ins or summative assessments, here are some engaging activities that give your students an opportunity to shine as the Hero in their learning journey:

Hero’s Journey Roadmap: Play up the “adventure” element by encouraging students to design a creative roadmap to express the various stages of the Hero’s Journey. Adapt this activity to reflect the 12 stages or the narrative structure in general or map out a specific character’s experience. Either way, encourage students to use images, quotes, and symbols to enhance this visual representation.
Everyday Heroes: While we associate the term “hero” with characters from comic books and movies, there are plenty of heroes among us. Therefore, this activity encourages students to take a closer look at the essential question, “What makes a hero?” Have students identify real-life heroes and present what their real-life version of this journey looks like. These figures can include historical figures, athletes, changemakers, activists, or even everyday people in their own community.
Hero’s Journey Comparative Analysis: Assign students two texts, characters, or films that follow the Hero’s Journey. The twist? The plotlines should differ in genre, time period, or cultural context. Ask students to write a comparative analysis essay, exploring how the stages are portrayed in each text while highlighting that heroes come in all different shapes and sizes. To set students up for success, encourage them to start with a simple Venn diagram before translating the information into more thorough writing.
Hero’s Journey in the Twitterverse : Students these days document everything on social media. So, why not document their learning? After reading a text, have students represent the character’s Hero’s Journey through a series of Tweets (or Instagram posts). Each post should highlight a specific stage in the journey. By the end, students should present 12 posts that showcase the character’s heroic transformation from start to finish. You can have students create dummy accounts or complete the activity using social media post templates.
A Multigenre Monomyth: Rather than completing a classic character analysis, challenge students to create a multi-genre representation of a character’s Hero’s Journey. Whether students analyze a hero from a classroom text or from pop culture, have them explore said character’s journey through various genres. Each stage of the Hero’s Journey should be represented and analyzed through a different genre. In the end, they’ll have a multigenre representation of how the character undergoes transformation and overcomes challenges throughout the story.

Examples of genres include poetry, journal entries, abstract recipes, formal analysis, song lyrics, artwork, comic strips, maps, news articles, and more.

Create Your Own Hero’s Journey: Encourage students to write their own Hero’s Journey stories. They can create original characters, outline the stages, and craft a compelling narrative that follows the pattern. Students can share their stories with the class or in small groups. As an alternative, have your students create the outline or story map for a short story that would follow the hero’s journey.

The activities above provide diverse ways for students to showcase their understanding of this narrative structure. Whichever activities you choose, your students are sure to showcase creativity, critical thinking, and engagement.

Final Thoughts on Teaching the Hero’s Journey

Before you begin your own heroic journey of teaching this beloved narrative pattern, remember that the Hero’s Journey is about much more than literature itself. Use the Hero’s Journey to engage students in the power of storytelling and self-discovery. Talk about real-world application!

The Hero's Journey

After exploring mythology and the concept of the monomyth, students will create an eBook identifying and explaining the events in the hero's journey in a text they are reading.

App: Wixie ™ or Share ™

You may have heard the story of the twelve trials of Hercules (Herakles) and maybe even the journey of Odysseus. You may have read or watched Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone or read comics like Superman or Spiderman. What do stories about ancient Greek heroes, wizards, muggles, and super heroes have in common?

While these tales may seem different, author Joseph Campbell claims they are all variations of the same story! In his 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell outlines the monomyth, or archetypal journey, that all of these stories follow. In this project, you will learn the stages of the archetypal hero’s journey and decide for yourself if a story you are reading follows this cycle.

Begin this project by asking your students to brainstorm a list of heroes. Let them know that comic book superheroes, movie heroes, and famous people from history are acceptable options. Have students give a brief summary for each hero so that students who aren't familiar with this person or character have some information and background.

Discuss the qualities of a hero. What makes them heroic? Their character traits? The things that happen to them? How they respond to those events? All of the above? Ask students if they can identify similarities between different heroes on the list.

Introduce the idea of Joseph Campbell's monomyth, or hero's cycle, to your students. Campbell claims that most great heroes have taken the path of this hero's journey. Campbell's stages fall into three main areas of departure, initiation, and return, which are further broken down into 17 stages. Discuss the stages you want to use, such as:

Call to Adventure
Refusal of Call
Supernatural Aid/Mentor
Crossing the Threshold
Road of Trials
Death of Mentor
Battle with the Brother
Refusal to Return
Ultimate Reward
Master of Two Worlds

The hero cycle is prominent in Greek mythology. Choose a hero like Hercules, Jason, Odysseus, Perseus, or Theseus and walk students through the journey they took, identifying the various stages. Many of these heroes are referenced in popular literature and entertainment. As you explore the cycle, ask students to reflect on these modern connections.

Share Matthew Winkler's great TED-Ed video, What makes a hero?

Then, watch a modern movie and work as a class to determine how it follows the monomyth. You can take your inspiration from completed analyses of movies like Shrek , or start from scratch.

Here are some popular choices for a variety of ages and backgrounds.

Harry Potter
The Lion King
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Wreck-it Ralph
The Wizard of Oz
The Princess Bride

Introduce the first part of the cycle and have the students identify the major areas of the story that show the cycle. You may want to model strategies for close reading as you explore a written myth or sample together.

Now it's time for students to practice close reading and identify the hero's journey in a different story.

Give students a list of books they can read to analyze for the use of the monomyth. Assign individual students a story, depending on their reading and maturity level. Here are a few examples at different reading levels, and you can find more titles with an online search like "hero's journey book list."

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Dragon Wings by Laurence Yep
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

If you are using Wixie , students can use the Hero's Journey template to define each stage and identify it using examples from the text. They can add photos, images, and drawings to illustrate the event and record audio to summarize events. In addition to having conversations as they are working, have students turn in the first draft as a formative assessment you can use to gauge understanding and monitor progress.

If several students are reading the same book, have them share their work in small literature circles and discuss how they identified the stages. Allow students to revise and edit their work before turning in a second draft.

To create an opportunity to build comprehension and narrative writing skills, ask students make a new file in Share and write journal entries from the hero's perspective at each stage of the cycle. Encourage them to draw a scene of the event, including simple path animation if desired, and then record their voice as they share details of the events.

Have students publish their journal as an ePub file and share it using a service like iTunes or Dropbox. If you don’t have ready access to eReaders, you can also export work to PDF for easy sharing.

Have students present their findings to the rest of the class or with a partner. You might also have them present their work to another class to teach other students about the hero’s journey.

Begin by evaluating student ideas as you work to list heroes and identify similarities between them.

Examine students' analyses of a hero's journey to determine their comprehension of the big ideas as well as their skill at close reading of a text. Have they been able to identify a scene or passage specific to each stage in the cycle? If not, have they made an argument why a stage isn't evident?

Their journal entries will also help you assess comprehension and narrative writing.

Joseph Campbell. The Hero with a Thousand Faces ISBN: 1577315936

Christopher Vogler. The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers ISBN: 193290736X

Myth Web: Heroes

Heroes of History: Thinkquest

What makes a hero? Matthew Winkler - TED-Ed

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts - Grade 6

Reading: Literature

Key Ideas and Details

1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

3. Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

5. Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.

Speaking and Listening

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

5. Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.

Text Types and Purposes

3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

Production and Distribution of Writing

6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.

ISTE NETS for Students 2016:

6. Creative Communicator Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals. Students:

a. choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

b. create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

c. communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.

d. publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.

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LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

The hero’s journey.

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)

Type of English: General English

Tags: literature and books describing people storytelling prefixes and suffixes 13-15 years old 16-18 years old Video talk Vocabulary and grammar

Publication date: 11/30/2023

In this lesson, students will watch a video showing how many famous stories follow the same pattern: the Hero’s Journey. They will first discuss some beloved book and film heroes, then watch the video and do some comprehension tasks on it. They will also study different types of prefixes, discuss their impressions of the video, and apply the theory to other stories, as well as to their own lives.

by Edward Alden

Linguahouse.com is in no way affiliated with, authorized, maintained, sponsored or endorsed by TED Conferences LLC.

Love this lesson material!

Eat, Teach, Slay

The hero’s journey unit.

I love teaching Greek mythology! I incorporate a variety of texts across different genres in this unit including fiction, drama, informational texts, YouTube video and movie clips, poetry, and comic books.

Introducing the Hero’s Journey

We start with the hero’s journey plot pattern archetype. I like to introduce it with this TedTalk . CommonLit.org also has an article about the hero’s journey that thoroughly introduces this plot pattern and provides examples from the Hobbit and Hunger Games. Either one can be used to introduce this plot pattern before starting the Odyssey. As we read the about various Greek hero’s we will make connections to how they complete these stages of the hero’s journey. I start off with the story of Perseus since it’s short. There are various free and paid versions out there. Some textbooks have it. My favorite version is a play in the book Greek Mythology for Teens: Classic Myths in Today’s World (ISBN: 1593637179) . #ad I assign parts in class and students love reading their parts. Afterwards we compare it Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief #ad (I show the trailer and scenes from the movie that can be compared to Perseus).

To check for student’s understanding about the hero’s journey I have them do a presentation project. I put them in pairs or small groups. Each group picks a book or movie that has a hero in it. They create a Google Slide presentation showing how that hero completes each stage of the hero’s journey in that book or movie. I approve all book/movie choices before they begin and ensure that no group has the same one. It’s a multimedia presentation- they should include texts, images (or animated gifs), and video clips (or even add music). They present these to the class.

Before We Read The Odyssey

Before we read the Odyssey there is some background knowledge that students will need to know. Commonlit.org has a great article about Greek Society that explains how Greek society was structured covering: classes, women, children and adolescents, laborers, slaves, and foreigners. It was a provide background knowledge while practicing reading nonfiction skills with an informational texts. We apply this knowledge as we read the Odyssey, making connections between these texts from different genres. This is a great way to cover multiple standards in one unit! Would you rather show a video then have them read this informational text? This YouTube video also explains the basics of Greek Society.

I like to introduce and summarize the Trojan War with a fun play adaptation called Meet the Olympians by TPT seller ELA Alley . This play is a spoof about the Trojan War while poking fun at Twilight, American Idol, Michael Jackson, 300, and wrestling. It provides a great introduction to the Greek gods and goddesses, introduces the idea of don’t anger the gods, and sums up the Trojan War. I assign parts to students in class to read aloud. If we have time, we might act it out as well. Students love it! It’s hilarious and a great introduction to Greek mythology and story telling!

We continue our talk about the Trojan war by examining two poems written in different time periods about Helen of Troy. I introduce Helen of Troy with the Shmoop Video and students take notes in their Interactive Notebook. We compare her origin story to that of Perseus: like Perseus she is a demigod whose father is Zeus. Next we read over two poems about Helen of Troy written in different time periods by different authors: “ To Helen” by Edgar Allan Poe (1845) and “ Helen” by Hilda Doolittle (1924) . We will annotate the poems, answer short answer questions comparing and contrasting the central theme in the poems, and analyze literary devices and figurative language.

This TedTalk, Everything you need to know to read Homer’s “Odyssey” – Jill Dash , explains important concepts before we read the Odyssey such as in medias res and xenia. It also introduces Homer and this tradition of Greek oral story telling. I have students take notes in their interactive notebook as we watch it.

As We Read The Odyssey

We read the graphic novel version by Gareth Hinds. They love it! It’s usually their favorite text our of everything we read. The illustrations really help them understand what’s happening and the time period it takes place in. As they read I have them take notes about the themes and the role of xenia throughout the story. They also take notes about how Odysseus completes the hero’s journey. I assign sections ahead of time that they read on their own and then we discuss it and their notes in class. We examine the images as well as the words. I will show sections of the 1997 TV miniseries so we can compare how it was adapted for film (I usually show the cyclops scene). We discuss the differences between the comic and film medium and how it impacts the story telling. We also discuss how this is an ancient story being retold in multiple mediums today and why we still relate to this story and it’s hero.

Preparing for the Journey: An Introduction to the Hero Myth

Resources & Preparation
Instructional Plan
Related Resources

Through class discussion and reading picture books, students explore the literary concept of a hero and the elements of a hero's journey. Unsing an online tool, students will identify the central elements of a hero's journey in a simple text. After analyzing the picture books and presenting their findings to the class, students are encouraged to embark on the study of a more substantial text.

Featured Resources

The Hero's Journey : This interactive tool gives students the information they need to take a closer look at an epic hero or create a hero of their own.

From Theory to Practice

In With Rigor For All: Teaching the Classics to Contemporary Students , Carol Jago notes that one of the roadblocks to cultivating genuine student response to challenging texts is students' lack of knowledge about story structure, and that teachers' "withholding information about how a story works may make it impossible for some students to have any response at all" (39). Jago goes on to observe that while some story structures, such as the pattern of the hero's journey, "may be so familiar to an English teacher that they hardly bear commenting on, this is not the case for many high school readers" and that "it is unrealistic to assume that ... they will figure out the structure themselves" (39-40). This lesson prepares students for a challenging text by providing multiple exposures to activities and texts that promote an understanding of the hero's journey structure. Further Reading

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
2. Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human experience.
3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.

Materials and Technology

Internet-connected computers for each group
Copies of books from the Introducing the Hero's Journey through Picture Books list

Preparation

Though this lesson can stand alone as a basic introduction to the hero's journey, it is designed as preparation for reading or viewing a more substantial work. Select the hero's journey text that students will eventually read or view and keep it in mind as students complete this introductory activity.
Obtain copies of books from the Introducing the Hero's Journey through Picture Books list.
Test The Hero's Journey tool and familiarize yourself with its content and layout. Ensure that you have the proper Flash plug-ins installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page .
Bookmark The Hero's Journey tool and reserve computers for student use in the necessary sessions.

Student Objectives

Students will:

gain exposure to the central elements of the hero's journey monomyth .
apply the elements of the hero's journey to a simple text.
summarize the elements of the hero's journey in preparation for reading a more advanced text.

Session One

Harry Potter
Lord of the Rings
Allow for brief discussion within groups before letting students share their ideas.
Encourage students as they make connections (such as the presence of a central character who takes a journey, a series of adventures, magical elements, and so forth), but do not feel compelled to start labeling or guiding observations too directly at this point.
Ask students to continue thinking about those connections as they read a picture book within their groups.
Give each group a copy of one of the books from the Introducing the Hero's Journey through Picture Books list.
Have each group read the assigned book and discuss it briefly, noting any connections to the conversation at the beginning of the session.
Collect the picture books for use in the next session.

Session Two

Have groups from the previous session gather around a computer. Return the book they read previously to them for use during this session.
Direct students to The Hero's Journey tool and have them enter a name for their group and the title of their picture book.
Read through the introductory text with students and inform them that they will be applying the information from the tool to their book.
Briefly demonstrate how the tool works and give students time to apply the tool to their book.
Point out that not every book will contain all the elements, but ask students to note those absences in the tool rather than simply leaving the elements blank. Also ask students to take note of any ways they see their story deviating from the pattern in the tool.
Give students time to complete the tool for their book. Remind them that printing is the only way to save their work. Collect a printout for each group at the end of the session.

Session Three

Explain to students that they will be using the printouts from The Hero's Journey tool to present their picture books as examples of hero's journey.
Give groups a few minutes to meet before they make their brief, informal presentation.
Remind students to listen attentively as the groups present their books as hero's journeys.
Close the session by clarifying the elements of the hero's journey and previewing the more substantial hero's journey the class will be studying next.
Consider using the ReadWriteThink lesson plan Heroes Are Made of This: Studying the Character of Heroes to enhance the study of the literary hero.
Have student groups use the Profile Publisher to create a profile for a hero at the various stages of his or her journey.
Monomyth : Part of UC Berkeley's History Through Literature Project, this site provides another visual representation of the hero's journey as well as application and activities for three world hero myths.
The Monomyth Cycle : This site uses images from popular film to illustrate the elements of the hero's journey.
Heroes of History : This site provides an overview of the hero's journey monomyth, as well as examples from Norse, Celtic, Greek, and American culture.
Bill Moyers on Faith and Reason : A follow-up Website to the work Bill Moyers did with Joseph Campbell, this page provides text, audio, and video perspectives on the power of myths.

Student Assessment / Reflections

Review groups’ analyses of the picture books for clarity and depth of understanding.
At the end of the last session, further assess students’ understanding by asking each student to put the elements of the hero’s journey into their own words.
Calendar Activities
Student Interactives

Students compare the film versions of The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's novels. Students then imagine how a scene in a current novel that they are reading would be filmed.

Students can use this tool to learn about the elements of the hero's journey, analyze a text that follows the hero's journey pattern, or start creating a hero story of their own.

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The Hero's Journey

Teaching Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell, an American mythological researcher, wrote a famous book entitled The Hero with a Thousand Faces . In his lifelong research Campbell discovered many common patterns running through hero myths and stories from around the world. Years of research lead Campbell to discover several basic stages that almost every hero-quest goes through (no matter what culture the myth is a part of). He calls this common structure “the monomyth.” It is commonly referred to as "The Hero's Journey."

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars , claims that Campbell’s monomyth was the inspiration for his groundbreaking films. Lucas also believes that Star Wars is such a popular saga because it taps into a timeless story-structure which has existed for thousands of years.

The Hero's Journey is a great technique for analyzing all kinds of stories--whether they be myths, legends, films, novels, short stories, plays, or even comic books. Educating students about the Hero's Journey encourages them to think about plot structure, character motivation, and theme. It also leads them to consider what qualities they associate with heroes. Are heroes born or are they made? Are there heroes in real-life or must they be larger-than-life? Who are the heroes in our society. Listed below are some resources that I have found successful in my own classroom for teaching the Hero's Journey:

THE HERO'S JOURNEY (PDF) This worksheet gives an overview of the Hero's Journey, as outlined by Joseph Campbell and others. Each step is listed, along with examples from film and literature.

SAMPLE HERO'S JOURNEY UNIT (PDF) This outline provides a suggested unit using this site's resources.

WHY YOUNG PEOPLE NEED HERO STORIES NOW MORE THAN EVER (ARTICLE) This article explains the numerous real-life applications of the Hero's Journey, a message of hope that young people need to hear!

DETAILED PRESENTATION ON THE STAGES OF THE HERO'S JOURNEY WITH LIFE-APPLICATION (SALE ITEM) This in-depth presentation covers the stages of the Hero's Journey, using visual examples from Star Wars and The Lion King. Each stage also has a "My Journey" section that gives each stage a real-life application. Also comes with a note-taking sheet with student use.

DESIGN-A-QUEST: CREATIVE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR MAKING YOUR OWN HERO'S JOURNEY (SALE ITEM) Want to give your students some practice writing their own Hero's Journey? This set of graphic organizers is perfect for young writers who want to invent some heroes of their own. Using your choice of written-response only or a creative, comic-book-style combination of artwork and written responses, these graphic organizers allow students to create their own hero story. This item also includes a sample Hero's Journey using Disney's Aladdin as an example.

Story Writing Guides

12 Hero’s Journey Stages Explained (+ Free Templates)

From zero to hero, the hero’s journey is a popular character development arc used in many stories. In today’s post, we will explain the 12 hero’s journey stages, along with the simple example of Cinderella.

The Hero’s Journey was originally formulated by American writer Joseph Campbell to describe the typical character arc of many classic stories, particularly in the context of mythology and folklore. The original hero’s journey contained 17 steps. Although the hero’s journey has been adapted since then for use in modern fiction, the concept is not limited to literature. It can be applied to any story, video game, film or even music that features an archetypal hero who undergoes a transformation. Common examples of the hero’s journey in popular works include Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

What is the hero's journey?

Stage 1: The Ordinary World

Stage 2: call of adventure, stage 3: refusal of the call, stage 4: meeting the mentor, stage 5: crossing the threshold, stage 6: tests, allies, enemies, stage 7: the approach, stage 8: the ordeal, stage 9: reward, stage 10: the road back, stage 11: resurrection, stage 12: return with the elixir, cinderella example, campbell’s 17-step journey, leeming’s 8-step journey, cousineau’s 8-step journey.

Free Hero's Journey Templates

What is the hero’s journey?

The hero’s journey, also known as the monomyth, is a character arc used in many stories. The idea behind it is that heroes undergo a journey that leads them to find their true selves. This is often represented in a series of stages. There are typically 12 stages to the hero’s journey. Each stage represents a change in the hero’s mindset or attitude, which is triggered by an external or internal event. These events cause the hero to overcome a challenge, reach a threshold, and then return to a normal life.

The hero’s journey is a powerful tool for understanding your characters. It can help you decide who they are, what they want, where they came from, and how they will change over time. It can be used to

Understand the challenges your characters will face
Understand how your characters react to those challenges
Help develop your characters’ traits and relationships

In this post, we will explain each stage of the hero’s journey, using the example of Cinderella.

You might also be interested in our post on the story mountain or this guide on how to outline a book .

12 Hero’s Journey Stages

The archetypal hero’s journey contains 12 stages and was created by Christopher Vogler. These steps take your main character through an epic struggle that leads to their ultimate triumph or demise. While these steps may seem formulaic at first glance, they actually form a very flexible structure. The hero’s journey is about transformation, not perfection.

Your hero starts out in the ordinary world. He or she is just like every other person in their environment, doing things that are normal for them and experiencing the same struggles and challenges as everyone else. In the ordinary world, the hero feels stuck and confused, so he or she goes on a quest to find a way out of this predicament.

Example: Cinderella’s father passes away and she is now stuck doing chores and taking abuse from her stepsisters and stepmother.

The hero gets his or her first taste of adventure when the call comes. This could be in the form of an encounter with a stranger or someone they know who encourages them to take a leap of faith. This encounter is typically an accident, a series of coincidences that put the hero in the right place at the right time.

Example: An invite arrives inviting the family to a royal ball where the Prince will choose a wife.

Some people will refuse to leave their safe surroundings and live by their own rules. The hero has to overcome the negative influences in order to hear the call again. They also have to deal with any personal doubts that arise from thinking too much about the potential dangers involved in the quest. It is common for the hero to deny their own abilities in this stage and to lack confidence in themselves.

Example: Cinderella accepts the call by making her own dress for the ball. However, her stepmother refuses the call for her by not letting her go to the ball. And her step-sisters ruin her dress, so she can not go.

After hearing the call, the hero begins a relationship with a mentor who helps them learn about themselves and the world. In some cases, the mentor may be someone the hero already knows. The mentor is usually someone who is well-versed in the knowledge that the hero needs to acquire, but who does not judge the hero for their lack of experience.

Example: Cinderella meets her fairy godmother who equips her with everything she needs for the ball, including a dress and a carriage.

The hero leaves their old life behind and enters the unfamiliar new world. The crossing of the threshold symbolises leaving their old self behind and becoming a new person. Sometimes this can include learning a new skill or changing their physical appearance. It can also include a time of wandering, which is an essential part of the hero’s journey.

Example: Cinderella hops into the carriage and heads off to the ball. She has transformed from a servant into an elegant young lady.

As the hero goes on this journey, they will meet both allies (people who help the hero) and enemies (people who try to stop the hero). There will also be tests, where the hero is tempted to quit, turn back, or become discouraged. The hero must be persistent and resilient to overcome challenges.

Example: At the ball, Cinderella meets the prince, and even see’s her stepmother and stepsister. She dances with Prince all night long making her step-sisters extremely jealous.

The hero now reaches the destination of their journey, in some cases, this is a literal location, such as a cave or castle. It could also be metaphorical, such as the hero having an internal conflict or having to make a difficult decision. In either case, the hero has to confront their deepest fears in this stage with bravery. In some ways, this stage can mark the end of the hero’s journey because the hero must now face their darkest fears and bring them under control. If they do not do this, the hero could be defeated in the final battle and will fail the story.

Example: Cinderella is having a great time at the ball and nearly forgets about the midnight rule. As she runs away in a hurry, her glass slipper falls off outside the palace.

The hero has made it to the final challenge of their journey and now must face all odds and defeat their greatest adversary. Consider this the climax of the story. This could be in the form of a physical battle, a moral dilemma or even an emotional challenge. The hero will look to their allies or mentor for further support and guidance in this ordeal. Whatever happens in this stage could change the rest of the story, either for good or bad.

Example: Prince Charming looks all over the kingdom for the mysterious girl he met at the ball. He finally visits Cinderella’s house and tries the slippers on the step-sisters. The prince is about to leave and then he sees Cinderella in the corner cleaning.

When the hero has defeated the most powerful and dangerous of adversaries, they will receive their reward. This reward could be an object, a new relationship or even a new piece of knowledge. The reward, which typically comes as a result of the hero’s perseverance and hard work, signifies the end of their journey. Given that the hero has accomplished their goal and served their purpose, it is a time of great success and accomplishment.

Example: The prince tries the glass slipper on Cinderella. The glass slipper fits Cinderella perfectly, and they fall in love.

The journey is now complete, and the hero is now heading back home. As the hero considers their journey and reflects on the lessons they learned along the way, the road back is sometimes marked by a sense of nostalgia or even regret. As they must find their way back to the normal world and reintegrate into their former life, the hero may encounter additional difficulties or tests along the way. It is common for the hero to run into previous adversaries or challenges they believed they had overcome.

Example: Cinderella and Prince Charming head back to the Prince’s castle to get married.

The hero has one final battle to face. At this stage, the hero might have to fight to the death against a much more powerful foe. The hero might even be confronted with their own mortality or their greatest fear. This is usually when the hero’s true personality emerges. This stage is normally symbolised by the hero rising from the dark place and fighting back. This dark place could again be a physical location, such as the underground or a dark cave. It might even be a dark, mental state, such as depression. As the hero rises again, they might change physically or even experience an emotional transformation.

Example: Cinderella is reborn as a princess. She once again feels the love and happiness that she felt when she was a little girl living with her father.

At the end of the story, the hero returns to the ordinary world and shares the knowledge gained in their journey with their fellow man. This can be done by imparting some form of wisdom, an object of great value or by bringing about a social revolution. In all cases, the hero returns changed and often wiser.

Example: Cinderella and Prince Charming live happily ever after. She uses her new role to punish her stepmother and stepsisters and to revitalise the kingdom.

We have used the example of Cinderella in Vogler’s hero’s journey model below:

Below we have briefly explained the other variations of the hero’s journey arc.

The very first hero’s journey arc was created by Joseph Campbell in 1949. It contained the following 17 steps:

The Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call or a reason to go on a journey.
Refusal of the Call: The hero does not accept the quest. They worry about their own abilities or fear the journey itself.
Supernatural Aid: Someone (the mentor) comes to help the hero and they have supernatural powers, which are usually magical.
The Crossing of the First Threshold: A symbolic boundary is crossed by the hero, often after a test.
Belly of the Whale: The point where the hero has the most difficulty making it through.
The Road of Trials: In this step, the hero will be tempted and tested by the outside world, with a number of negative experiences.
The Meeting with the Goddess: The hero meets someone who can give them the knowledge, power or even items for the journey ahead.
Woman as the Temptress: The hero is tempted to go back home or return to their old ways.
Atonement with the Father: The hero has to make amends for any wrongdoings they may have done in the past. They need to confront whatever holds them back.
Apotheosis: The hero gains some powerful knowledge or grows to a higher level.
The Ultimate Boon: The ultimate boon is the reward for completing all the trials of the quest. The hero achieves their ultimate goal and feels powerful.
Refusal of the Return: After collecting their reward, the hero refuses to return to normal life. They want to continue living like gods.
The Magic Flight: The hero escapes with the reward in hand.
Rescue from Without: The hero has been hurt and needs help from their allies or guides.
The Crossing of the Return Threshold: The hero must come back and learn to integrate with the ordinary world once again.
Master of the Two Worlds: The hero shares their wisdom or gifts with the ordinary world. Learning to live in both worlds.
Freedom to Live: The hero accepts the new version of themselves and lives happily without fear.

David Adams Leeming later adapted the hero’s journey based on his research of legendary heroes found in mythology. He noted the following steps as a pattern that all heroes in stories follow:

Miraculous conception and birth: This is the first trauma that the hero has to deal with. The Hero is often an orphan or abandoned child and therefore faces many hardships early on in life.
Initiation of the hero-child: The child faces their first major challenge. At this point, the challenge is normally won with assistance from someone else.
Withdrawal from family or community: The hero runs away and is tempted by negative forces.
Trial and quest: A quest finds the hero giving them an opportunity to prove themselves.
Death: The hero fails and is left near death or actually does die.
Descent into the underworld: The hero rises again from death or their near-death experience.
Resurrection and rebirth: The hero learns from the errors of their way and is reborn into a better, wiser being.
Ascension, apotheosis, and atonement: The hero gains some powerful knowledge or grows to a higher level (sometimes a god-like level).

In 1990, Phil Cousineau further adapted the hero’s journey by simplifying the steps from Campbell’s model and rearranging them slightly to suit his own findings of heroes in literature. Again Cousineau’s hero’s journey included 8 steps:

The call to adventure: The hero must have a reason to go on an adventure.
The road of trials: The hero undergoes a number of tests that help them to transform.
The vision quest: Through the quest, the hero learns the errors of their ways and has a realisation of something.
The meeting with the goddess: To help the hero someone helps them by giving them some knowledge, power or even items for the journey ahead.
The boon: This is the reward for completing the journey.
The magic flight: The hero must escape, as the reward is attached to something terrible.
The return threshold: The hero must learn to live back in the ordinary world.
The master of two worlds: The hero shares their knowledge with the ordinary world and learns to live in both worlds.

As you can see, every version of the hero’s journey is about the main character showing great levels of transformation. Their journey may start and end at the same location, but they have personally evolved as a character in your story. Once a weakling, they now possess the knowledge and skill set to protect their world if needed.

Free Hero’s Journey Templates

Use the free Hero’s journey templates below to practice the skills you learned in this guide! You can either draw or write notes in each of the scene boxes. Once the template is complete, you will have a better idea of how your main character or the hero of your story develops over time:

The storyboard template below is a great way to develop your main character and organise your story:

Did you find this guide on the hero’s journey stages useful? Let us know in the comments below.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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The Hero's Journey: Life's Great Adventure

Harris Communications: Home of the Hero's Journey Since 1997

The Hero’s Journey: The Path of Transformation

The Path of Transformation

The Hero’s Journey: The Path of Transformation is the most comprehensive resource available for teaching and understanding the Hero’s Journey. A synthesis of 40+ years experience and research, it combines detailed lesson plans with a wealth of resource material exploring the journey and its elements.

The 218-page guide balances practical classroom lessons with 100 pages of in-depth articles written specifically to give teachers the background needed to teach the journey at virtually any level. The guide covers the Rite of Passage (which Joseph Campbell called the “nuclear unit” of the journey), Campbell’s monomyth, a psychologically-based model of the journey and the Call Refused. It includes everything you need to start teaching:

– Detailed plans for 10 lessons (up to 8 weeks),

– Student texts, handouts and worksheets,

– Three film projects,

– Individual and group projects, discussion questions and a variety of activities,

– Six generic graphic projects (can be used with any film or text),

– Quizes and writing projects on each unit,

– 100 thought-provoking quotes for discussion or writing.

(For more details see “Take a Closer Look” below.)

BONUS : When you order you will also receive our 64-page guide “The Hero’s Journey: Five Project Supplement,” our “The Hero’s Journey in Five Days” supplement and “A Glossary of Hero’s Journey Terms.” See our preview for details.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

NOTE : On the slide show, hover your cursor over a slide to pause it, or use the arrows (on the sides about 3/4 of the way down) to move forward and back.

ANNOTATED CONTENTS

Introduction : “A Myth to Live By: The Soul’s High Adventure,” “We Live in Story: The Hero’s Journey as a Personal Narrative” and “Hero’s Journey Approach to Lesson Planning” present the theory and approach used in this guide and the value of the journey archetype in the classroom and life.

Chapter One: “Ritual and the Rite of Passage: Teaching Transformation” introduces the Rite of Passage, which Campbell called the “nuclear unit” of the Hero’s Journey. The chapter includes background information for teachers on the structure and psychology of the Rite of Passage, along with a student text called “Negotiating Life’s Transitions: Ritual and the Rite of Passage,” a film project and a group activity in which students design a rite of passage for earning a driver's license.

Chapter Two: “The Monomyth: Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey ” examines Campbell’s monomyth. It groups Campbell’s elements into eight stages and explores the monomyth's archetypes, symbolism, themes and psychological foundation. Also included is “The Wisdom of Polarity,” which explores the monomyth's central theme of polar reconciliation.

Chapter Three: “The Hero’s Journey: The Path of Transformation” introduces our eight-stage, psychological model of the hero’s journey. It includes a detailed examination of the journey process, its stages and how they relate to literature and life. Numerous charts and tables illustrate the stages, their challenges, dangers and purposes.

Chapter Four: “Teaching the Hero’s Journey” guides teachers through introducing and teaching the Hero’s Journey. The chapter includes a detailed lesson plan and suggested approach. The student text “The Hero’s Journey: Life’s Great Adventure,” the “What Makes a Hero” activity, and graphics to help students understand and use the journey.

Chapter Five: “Gawain and the Green Knight” expands the basic understanding students developed in Chapter Four by having them explore this classic hero legend as a hero’s journey. The chapter contains background information for teachers, a lesson plan, a student text and suggestions for writing, discussion and reflection.

Chapter Six: “The Legend of the Buddha: A Spiritual Hero’s Journey” further expands students’ understanding by having them explore a spiritual hero’s journey. Along with a lesson plan and the student text, this chapter includes background information of Buddha, Buddhism and how Buddhist philosophy relates to the journey.

Chapter Seven: “ Star Wars IV : Hero’s Journey Film Project” is an engaging look at the Hero’s Journey in a classic film. Writer/producer George Lucas was greatly influenced by Joseph Campbell’s work, and that influence is reflected in this film. The chapter contains lesson plans, a thorough exploration of the Hero’s Journey in the film and student activities. (Note: You may use another Hero’s Journey film, if you prefer.)

Chapter Eight: “The Call Refused: Evoking the Shadow Journey” explores perhaps the most important aspect of the Hero’s Journey: The Call Refused. This chapter addresses the dangers of avoiding or rejecting the experiences we need to grow and adjust to changes in our world and in ourselves. It contains a thorough introduction to the Call Refused, a film project illustrating the Call Refused and a Greek myth (“Minos and the Minotaur”) exploring the refusal of the call to public trust. Also included are a thorough discussion of the psychological aspects of the Call Refused, detailed lesson plans, student handouts and a personal reflection activity.

Appendix : The Appendix contains five graphic activities to help students explore transformation, the hero’s journey and the journey in literature and life.

What Teachers are Saying

"I love this resource. I bought the paper copy about 15 years ago and bought this digital copy a few months ago. I highly recommend it!!"

I'm always looking for fresh and exciting ways to explore the hero's journey and allow my 9th graders to truly understand the whole cycle. This unit WAS WONDERFUL- user-friendly, and engaging. ~ Carol B., teacher ~

"SAVED MY LIFE!! We started a half-semester class on the Hero's Journey and this was a great way to introduce students to theories and activities!" ~ Shannon C., teacher ~

This is a valuable resource for those light bulb moments for students. They now see this journey in most film and, of course, quest novels. ~ Denise L., teacher ~

Very complete unit with tons of material! ~ Anais M., teacher ~

"I liked that there were a variety of options. Everything was well set up and easy to follow."

Saved my life when starting a new course! ~ Angela C., teacher ~

This has been very helpful for transfer of concept work that I am doing with my students. Thank you for making this wonderful resource available. ~ Adrienne H., teacher ~

I love studying the Hero's Journey, and this is a great guide. Well designed and organized. Excellent. ~ Ms. J., teacher ~

SUPPORT & GUARANTEE

SUPPORT : I fully support all of my publications. If you have questions, problems, comments or complaints, please let me know. I am also happy to answer questions regarding specific applications of my materials in the classroom or elsewhere. If you just want to discuss the Hero's Journey, I'd love to hear from you.

GUARANTEE : If within 30 days of downloading, you decide that you are unhappy with your purchase, contact me and I will issue an immediate refund. I ask only that you tell me what the problem is so that I can correct it for the future.

About the Author

Reg Harris has 33 years of experience teaching at every level from middle school to college post-graduate programs. He began using the Hero's Journey in the classroom in 1975, and he has been researching and writing about the Hero's Journey since 1986. He has an MA in psychology, with a focus on the transformative processes driving the journey experience.

His original teaching guide, The Hero's Journey: A Guide to Literature and Life , won the 2002 National Youth Storytelling "Teaching and Coaching" Pegasus Award. That guide and its revisions are currently being used by schools in 42 states and 17 countries.

He has presented dozens of workshops, including at state conferences in Oregon and California, and, in 2007, he was a featured speaker at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the original Star Wars .

For the story of his exploration of the Hero's Journey, see " My 40-Year Journey into the Hero's Journey ".

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How to Use the Hero’s Journey as a Life-Coaching Tool

A tool for therapists too.

Posted August 31, 2017 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

One of my favorite concepts is Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. In a nutshell, he found a common thread in all of our stories. From Jesus to Luke Skywalker to the guy who delivers your mail.

Here it is in a shot glass so we can get to how to use it as a tool to coach people. Or for yourself.

What We All Have

A call to adventure.

Something in our life calls us to do something, go somewhere, execute some type of action. Maybe it’s breaking up with someone. Quitting a job. Moving to a new city. Changing careers. But it’s a call that we decide to answer.

A point where we enter the unknown.

That action throws us into a new world. Now we’re single. Now we’re finally doing something we love. Now we’re in a new city. Now we’re starting a new relationship. Now we’re starting a new career path. Now we’re a parent.

Challenges and temptations.

With every new world comes new challenges. Dealing with new people. Being alone. Making new friends. Fighting for custody. Learning how to live off a new budget. Living with someone. Showing yourself for the first time.

A chance to slay our dragon.

Now comes the thing we must overcome to be a better version of us. This is something we have probably run from most of our life. It’s what scares us the most.

Death and rebirth.

Once we slay our dragon, we are changed. Slaying our dragon can be an internal thing or an external thing but there is always an internal shift. We become someone different. A part of us dies and we are reborn.

Then coming back to the village, changed and to share our story.

Coming full circle, changed, different, a new person.

How to Use This as a Coaching Tool

1. Explain this concept to your client. It will be helpful for them to see that they’re on a journey. Most of us get stuck because we don’t see anything except what’s happening right in front of us. We’re in the trenches and can’t see anything else and don’t believe we’re going anywhere.

Describing the process of the journey, literally drawing it out on a piece of paper using their story, can inject hope. They can pull back and see light at the end of their dark tunnel. They can see that whatever they’re going through is temporary and has meaning. And that’s the powerful piece. Once they are able to find meaning in something, it’s much easier to accept, lean in, and push through.

2. Plug their story into the Hero’s Journey. Ask them where they’re at in their circle. What was their call to adventure? Or maybe it’s happening now? What is their dragon?

This is what you want to get to. They may not know. So you will need to process it with them. They may have many dragons. Remember, their dragon will always lead to an internal fear or false belief. Fear of intimacy . Fear of failure. I’m not good enough. Smart enough. Pretty enough. Talented enough. Worthy enough.

3. Ask them what it would look like to slay their dragon. What does it look like in action? What do they need to do? End a relationship? Or maybe start one? Do they need to conquer a fear? Do they need to dissolve a false belief? Overcome an addiction ? Do they need to do in action to slay their dragon? Make sure they answer this question. You can give them suggestions but make sure they answer it. Not you. It’s their journey. Not yours.

4. Ask them what’s on the other side. What would happen if they slayed their dragon? How would they feel? Who would they be? How would this change ripple into all areas of their life? You want them to imagine and see what’s on the other side.

5. Ask them what’s at stake if they don’t slay the dragon? Make sure they answer it, not just think about it. You want your client to say it out loud. There is tremendous power in announcing something. As a coach, these are all doors open for more conversation and processing.

As you take them through their Hero’s Journey and as they answer the questions, what’s created is their “treatment” or action plan.

Now all you have to do is support them and make them accountable.

Also, know that we can have a Hero’s Journey every day. Especially the internal ones. Our dragon can be speaking up at work, finally getting into the gym, eating better, confronting someone who has hurt us.

We are all on a journey. Each and every day. There is a circle, a cycle, a process. Once we realize this, we see that life isn’t just a spinning dryer of turbulence.

It will help us pick up our sword.

And embark on our journey.

Knowing there is a better us on the other side.

If you're interested in learning more about coaching, discover Lumia Coaching .

John Kim, LMFT , pioneered an online coaching movement called Lumia Coaching years ago when he started working in unconventional ways. He continues to ride his motorcycle to sessions all over LA, meeting clients in coffee shops, gyms, on hikes. He's a published best selling author and speaker.

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Hero's Journey: A Guide to Becoming The Hero Of Your Story

What will your story be.

Be the hero of your story . It’s common advice from motivational speakers and life coaches, a call to arms to take centre stage and tackle life’s challenges head-on, to emerge victorious in the face of adversity, to transform through hardship.

As humans, hardwired to view the world and share experiences through the medium of stories, myths often act as powerful motivators of change. From ancient cave paintings to the Star Wars and its Death Star to Harry Potter and his battle against evil, the hero’s journey structure is a familiar one. It’s also one you need to know if you want to know how to write a book , but I digress.

This article will outline the stages, and psychological meaning, of the 12 steps of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. So, are you ready to become the hero of your story? Then let the adventure begin...

Who is Joseph Campbell?

Joseph Campbell was an American professor of literature at Sarah Lawrence College, and an expert of mythology that once spent five years in a rented shack, buried in books for nine hours each day. His greatest contribution is the hero’s journey, outlined in his book The Hero with A Thousand Faces . Campbell was able to synthesise huge volumes of heroic stories, distilling a common structure amongst them.

Near the end of his life, Campbell was interviewed by Bill Moyers in a documentary series exploring his work, The Power of Myth .

Throughout their discussion, Campbell highlighted the importance of myth not just in stories, but in our lives, as symbols to inspire us to flourish and grow to our full potential.

How is the hero’s journey connected to self development?

You might be wondering what storytelling has to do with self-development. Before we dive into the hero’s journey (whether that is a male or a female hero’s journey), context will be useful. Joseph Cambell was heavily inspired by the work of Carl Jung, the groundbreaking psychologist who throughout his life worked on theories such as the shadow, collective unconscious, archetypes, and synchronicity.

Jung’s greatest insight was that the unconscious is a vast, vibrant landscape, yet out sight from the ordinary conscious experience. Jung didn’t only theorize about the unconscious; he provided a huge body of work explaining the language of the unconscious, and the way in which it communicates with the conscious mind.

The nature of the unconscious

Due to its vast nature, the unconscious doesn’t operate like the conscious mind, which is based in language, logic, and rationality. The unconscious instead operates in the imaginal realm — using symbols and meaning that take time to be deciphered and understood consciously. Such symbols surface in dreams, visualizations, daydreams, or fantasies.

For Jung, the creative process is one in which contents of the unconscious mind are brought to light. Enter storytelling and character development — a process of myth-making that somehow captures the truth of deep psychological processes.

Campbell saw the power of myth in igniting the unconscious will to grow and live a meaningful life. With that in mind, his structure offers a tool of transformation and a way to inspire the unconscious to work towards your own hero’s journey.

The 12 steps of the hero’s journey

The hero’s journey ends where it begins, back at the beginning after a quest of epic proportions. The 12 steps are separated into three acts:

departure (1-5)
initiation (5-10)
return (10-1)

The hero journeys through the 12 steps in a clockwise fashion. As Campbell explains:

“The usual hero adventure begins with someone from whom something has been taken, or who feels there is something lacking in the normal experience available or permitted to the members of society. The person then takes off on a series of adventures beyond the ordinary, either to recover what has been lost or to discover some life-giving elixir. It’s usually a cycle, a coming and a returning.”

Let’s take a closer look at each of the steps below. Plus, under each is a psychological symbol that describes how the hero’s journey unfolds, and how when the hero ventures forth, he undergoes an inner process of awakening and transformation.

1. The ordinary world

The calm before the storm. The hero is living a standard, mundane life, going about their business unaware of the impending call to adventure. At this point, the hero is portrayed as very, very human. There could be glimpses of their potential, but these circumstances restrict the hero from fulfilling them. Although well within the hero’s comfort zone, at this stage, it’s clear something significant is lacking from their life.

Psychological symbol

This is represented as a stage of ignorance, pre-awakening. Living life by the status quo, on other people’s terms, or simply without questioning if this is what you want. At this point life is lived, but not deeply satisfying.

2. Call to adventure

Next is a disruption, a significant event that threatens the ways things were. This is a challenge that the hero knows deep down will lead to transformation and change, and that the days of normality, “the way things are,” are numbered. The hero confronts the question of being asked to step into their deeper potential, to awaken the power within, and to enter a new, special world.

Many of us embark on inner-journeys following hardship in life — the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, physical or mental illness. This stage occurs when it becomes apparent that, to move through suffering, one has to look within, to adventure into the soul.

3. Refusal of the call

No compelling story would be complete without friction. The hero often resists this call to adventure, as fear and self-doubt surface at full force, and the purpose of this new life direction is questioned. Can the reluctant hero journey forth? Do they have the courage?

The only way to grow and live a deeply fulfilling life is to face the discomfort of suffering. Campbell himself once said: “ The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek .” At this stage, fears, and anxieties about delving deep into the psyche arise. The temptation is to remain blissfully ignorant, to avoid discomfort, and to stay in your familiar world.

4. Meeting a mentor

As the hero faces a crisis of confidence, a wise mentor figure appears.

This character offers inspiration, guidance, or understanding that encourages the hero to have the self-belief to start this new adventure. In many stories, a mentor is someone else who has embarked on the hero’s journey, or someone who attempted, and failed. This person reflects the importance of this mission, reminding the hero their calling far exceeds their fear.

When the journey of exploration has to begin, people or situations enter your life at just the right time, guiding you in the right direction. This could be a close friend, a peer, a professional, such as a coach or therapist, or even a fictional character in a film or book. In most cases, these are chance encounters that contain a sense of knowing before the hero leaves on his or her adventure.

5. Crossing the threshold

This is a pivotal moment in the hero’s journey, as the initiation begins. This occurs when the hero fully commits to their quest, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This is the point of no return, where the reluctant hero embarks on their adventure, and has accepted that the way things were must change. The hero enters a new zone, one in which the call to adventure must be accepted. The hero’s resolve is hardened, and they understand they have a responsibility to confront what is ahead of them.

Whatever your life was before the call to action, this is a crossroads which is accepted, knowing your life may never be the same. This is a point of empowerment, where you realize that journeying within will lead you to greater self-understanding, even if those insights will dramatically change your life direction.

6. Test, allies, enemies

Now the hero has ventured outside of their comfort zone, the true test begins. This is a stage of acclimatizing to unknown lands. Unknown forces work against them, as they form bonds with allies who join them along the way, or face formidable enemies or encounters that have to be conquered. Throughout this testing time, the hero will be shaped and molded through adversity, finding deeper meaning in their life and mission.

Once the journey of self-discovery is underway, the initial burst of inspiration might be tested by the difficulty of the task. You might meet people who are able to offer advice or guide you, or those who reflect areas of yourself you have to work on.

Often, these are inner experiences, in the forms of memories, emotions, or outward tests, such as difficult circumstances that challenge your resolve and commitment to your new life direction.

7. Approach to the inmost cave

Having already crossed the threshold into the unknown and the uncertain, having faced obstacles and enemies, and having begun to utilize their qualities along the way, the next stage is another threshold.

This is the beating heart of the hero’s challenge, where again self-doubt and fear can arise, as another threshold has to be crossed. This is often a period of respite, giving the hero time to pause and reflect. Will the hero make the leap?

The hero’s journey has ups and downs. There may be quick wins in the beginning — your new life direction may go well, or inner-work may lead you to a new place of calm or confidence. But then, out of nowhere, comes an even bigger challenge, surfacing as a question mark to the person you’ve become. Life often has a way of presenting the right challenges at the right time…

This is the life-or-death moment. This can be a meeting with an ultimate enemy or facing the hero’s deepest fear. There is an awareness that if the hero fails, their new world, or their life, could be destroyed.

Everything the hero has fought for up to this point, all the lessons learned along the journey, all the hidden potentials actualized, will have to be utilized to survive this supreme ordeal, for the hero to be victorious. Either way, the hero will undergo a form of death, and leave the ordeal forever changed.

There are inner challenges that have to be confronted on the journey of self-discovery. This might be in the form of trauma that has to be confronted and healed, people with whom you have to have difficult conversations, or fears you have to face, actions that in the past you never thought you’d be capable of. But, with the skills you’ve learned along the way, this time you’ll be ready. But it won’t be easy.

9. Reward (seizing the sword)

Through great adversity comes triumph. Having confronted their greatest fear, and survived annihilation, the hero learns a valuable lesson, and is now fully transformed and reborn — with a prize as a reward.

This object is often symbolized as a treasure, a token, secret knowledge, or reconciliation, such as the return of an old friend or lover. This prize can assist in the return to the ordinary world — but there are still a few steps to come.

When confronting deep inner fears or challenges, you are rewarded with deep insights or breakthroughs. That might be in the form of achieving a significant goal or inwardly having a sense of peace or reconciliation with your past, or moments that have previously felt unresolved. As a spiritual process, this may also be the realization that behind suffering and pain lies freedom or inner peace.

10. The road back

Having traveled into distant, foreign lands and slain the dragon, now it’s time for the hero to make their return journey. This stage mirrors the original call to adventure and represents another threshold.

The hero may be understanding their new responsibility and the consequences of their actions, and require a catalyst to make the journey back to the ordinary world with their prize.

The hard work has been done, the ultimate fear confronted, new knowledge found. Now, what’s the next step? For many, the initial stages of growth come with a period of renunciation or are symbolized by an outward journey away from home, or away from familiarity.

Then comes the stage of returning to familiarity, or the things left behind — be it family, friends, locations, or even behaviors that were once loved and sacrificed during the journey.

11. Resurrection

When it appears the hero is out of the woods, there comes a final confrontation — an encounter with death itself. Transformed inwardly and with a personal victory complete, the hero faces a battle that transcends their individual quest, with its consequences far-reaching, for entire communities or even humanity itself.

This purification solidifies the hero’s rebirth, as their new identity fully emerges just in time to return to the ordinary world.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is secondary to self-transcendence. In other words, once inner battles have been faced, and the alchemy of psychological transformation is underway, the next stage is to apply the newfound insights and knowledge to a bigger cause — supporting others, or standing up a mission that will benefit the wider world.

12. Return with the elixir

Following the final battle, the hero finally returns home. By now, personal transformation is complete, they’re returning home a different person. Having faced indescribable hardship, the hero returns with added wisdom and maturity. The elixir is the treasure they’ve returned with, ready to share with the ordinary world. This could be a sense of hope, freedom, or even a new perspective to assist those originally left behind.

The hero has a new level of self-awareness, seeing the ordinary world through fresh eyes. They’ve left internal conflict behind. There’s an understanding that things will never be the same, but that the hero’s journey was part of their destiny.

Then comes the ultimate prize: a final reconciliation, acceptance from the community, celebration, redemption. Whatever the prize, there are three elements: change , success , and proof of the journey .

Following a transformative psychic process, there’s an understanding of what is within your control. The “ordinary world” may have many elements that remain the same, but this is accompanied by a realization that when you change, so does your reality. Previously modes of thinking may be replaced, as bridges are built with your past, giving opportunity for a renewed approach to life.

What can we learn from the hero's journey?

At the time of writing this article, I’m in the UK visiting my family for the first time in 18 months. As I walked down paths I’d walked throughout my childhood, I was struck by how much I’ve changed over the years. A passage from T.S Eliot’s poem Little Gidding came to mind:

“We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring. Will be to arrive where we started. And know the place for the first time.”

I reflected on the notion of coming full circle — to begin a journey, outwardly or inwardly, before finding yourself back at the beginning, transformed. In spiritual traditions, the circle is a powerful symbol of timelessness, death and rebirth, totality, and wholeness. Aptly, the 12 steps of the hero’s journey are depicted as a circle. It’s not a coincidence.

What can we learn from the hero’s journey? In a way, it is similar to the writer’s journey. Above all else, it’s a reminder that we each within us have a purpose, a quest and a mission in this life that can and will invoke our truest potential. The path isn’t easy — there are many, many challenges along the way. But at the right time, people and situations will come to our aid.

If you’re able to confront the mission head-on and take bold steps along the way — just like all the heroes of fiction before you, from Shakespeare’s characters to Luke Skywalker and Rey from the universe brought to us by George Lucas — then you will be transformed, and then you can return to where you started, reborn, ready to share your gifts and your lessons with the world.

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Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark

Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.

Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.

In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.

They Mock His Daughters To Their Face

"All my kids can speak and understand English. They know what you’re saying. It hurts their feelings." - Austin von Letkemann, Instagram

Saying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist

Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.

"No one says this to my wife. They only say this to me." - Austin von Letkemann, Instagram

Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.

By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.

Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Austin von Letkemann (@mandatoryfunday)

"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents

Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate von Letkemann (@kate_vonlet)

In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.

Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.

9-Year-Old Has to Steal Food to Feed Her Brothers - But One Police Officer Changes Her Life

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blonde haired woman and a Facebook page

Marlena Karbowski, is the Liverpool banker who found herself sucked into a modern-day love story — with a dark twist.

Elderly Woman Was Going to Sell Her Home for Her Mystery “Boyfriend”

It all began when a sweet elderly woman entered the Westpac branch Karbowski worked at. But despite appearances, Karbowski couldn't help but notice there was something suspicious about this woman.

When the client (who remained anonymous) approached Karbowski's desk, she revealed her shocking intentions for showing up that day and it instantly raised a red flag for Karbowski. This elderly client had suddenly decided she wanted to sell her home and cancel her Westpac home insurance.

Even though Karbowski didn't know what exactly was going on, one thing was absolutely clear. The elderly woman – who had been a loyal Westpac client for years and did not have a diverse history of investing — was acting out of character. The only question was what — or who — was making her act so irrationally?

When Karbowski probed further, she received a vague answer from her client about "helping her son." But this surface-level explanation didn't satisfy Karbowski. Her instincts kicked in so she delved deeper. Finally, during a private conversation with her client, the dark truth hidden beneath the surface was revealed.

Her Gut Instinct Knew There Was More to This Story

"I asked her to send me photos of the guy and I put them into a Google reverse image search. There were so many different pictures of this guy, one was of a model somewhere in America, so then we knew it was a scam,” recounted Karbowski.

After a brief investigation, Karbowski discovered the elderly woman's true mission. She was seeking funds to secure her "boyfriend's" release from imprisonment overseas. The only way she knew how to get the money was to sell her home. Karbowski calmly asked to see photos of her alleged online beau. It didn't take the tech-savvy Karbowski much time to discover a disturbing pattern.

Her “Guardian Angel” Rescued Her in the Nick of Time

A reverse Google search heartbreakingly revealed that this mysterious "boyfriend" was not who he said he was. Many of the photos the woman had received from her purported beau were found online, stolen from other people's accounts with different names. When Karbowski realized her client had already negotiated the sale of her home, she felt sick to her stomach.

Due to the immediate nature of the matter, Karbowski made it her number one priority to save this elderly woman from homelessness. Fortunately, the settlement of the property was still one week away so her elderly client still had time to cancel the sale of her house. But she wasn't finished with her just yet.

Hand-in-hand Karbowski walked her client over to the Liverpool Police Station. She encouraged her to report the crime, ensuring that the necessary steps were taken to protect her client from further harm.

As Marlena Karbowski spoke to the elderly woman, a single question made the whole puzzle come into focus. With a gentle, unassuming voice, Karbowski asked, “When was the last time he took you out for coffee?” The silence that followed was more revealing than any words could be. The elderly woman’s eyes flickered with the painful realization that she had never actually met her "boyfriend" in person. In that moment, it all became clear to both of them.

"We cried together. We care and when we see those red flags, we act.” - Marlena Karbowski

Karbowski knew this was the turning point. It wasn’t just about money or property; it was about unraveling the emotional manipulation and lies that had ensnared her client. The air in the room grew heavier as they sat together, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Karbowski offered a comforting presence as the elderly woman processed the truth, tears welling in her eyes.

This simple question was the key to unlocking a story of betrayal that had been expertly woven by the scammer. Karbowski's instincts had paid off, and she was ready to guide her client through the difficult steps that would follow.

Do You Think a Loved One Is Involved in a Romance Scam? Here Are a Few Simple Tips:

Trust Your Instincts : Sometimes, our gut feelings speak louder than words. If something feels off, don't ignore it.
Ask Probing Questions: Delve deeper into their story with gentle inquiries that encourage honesty and reflection.
Verify Information: Empower them to verify the identity of their online partner through simple checks and searches.
Seek Support: Let them know they're not alone. Connect them with resources and support networks that offer guidance and assistance.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect foul play, don't hesitate to reach out to the authorities or financial institutions for help. Together, we can protect our loved ones from the pitfalls of online deception.

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Last updated on Aug 10, 2023

The Hero's Journey: 12 Steps to a Classic Story Structure

The Hero's Journey is a timeless story structure which follows a protagonist on an unforeseen quest, where they face challenges, gain insights, and return home transformed. From Theseus and the Minotaur to The Lion King , so many narratives follow this pattern that it’s become ingrained into our cultural DNA.

In this post, we'll show you how to make this classic plot structure work for you — and if you’re pressed for time, download our cheat sheet below for everything you need to know.

FREE RESOURCE

Hero's Journey Template

Plot your character's journey with our step-by-step template.

What is the Hero’s Journey?

The Hero's Journey, also known as the monomyth, is a story structure where a hero goes on a quest or adventure to achieve a goal, and has to overcome obstacles and fears, before ultimately returning home transformed.

This narrative arc has been present in various forms across cultures for centuries, if not longer, but gained popularity through Joseph Campbell's mythology book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces . While Campbell identified 17 story beats in his monomyth definition, this post will concentrate on a 12-step framework popularized in 2007 by screenwriter Christopher Vogler in his book The Writer’s Journey .

The 12 Steps of the Hero’s Journey

The Hero's Journey is a model for both plot points and character development : as the Hero traverses the world, they'll undergo inner and outer transformation at each stage of the journey. The 12 steps of the hero's journey are:

The Ordinary World. We meet our hero.
Call to Adventure. Will they meet the challenge?
Refusal of the Call. They resist the adventure.
Meeting the Mentor. A teacher arrives.
Crossing the First Threshold. The hero leaves their comfort zone.
Tests, Allies, Enemies. Making friends and facing roadblocks.
Approach to the Inmost Cave. Getting closer to our goal.
Ordeal. The hero’s biggest test yet!
Reward (Seizing the Sword). Light at the end of the tunnel
The Road Back. We aren’t safe yet.
Resurrection. The final hurdle is reached.
Return with the Elixir. The hero heads home, triumphant.

Believe it or not, this story structure also applies across mediums and genres (and also works when your protagonist is an anti-hero! ). Let's dive into it.

1. Ordinary World

In which we meet our Hero.

The journey has yet to start. Before our Hero discovers a strange new world, we must first understand the status quo: their ordinary, mundane reality.

It’s up to this opening leg to set the stage, introducing the Hero to readers. Importantly, it lets readers identify with the Hero as a “normal” person in a “normal” setting, before the journey begins.

2. Call to Adventure

In which an adventure starts.

The call to adventure is all about booting the Hero out of their comfort zone. In this stage, they are generally confronted with a problem or challenge they can't ignore. This catalyst can take many forms, as Campbell points out in Hero with a Thousand Faces . The Hero can, for instance:

Decide to go forth of their own volition;
Theseus upon arriving in Athens.
Be sent abroad by a benign or malignant agent;
Odysseus setting off on his ship in The Odyssey .
Stumble upon the adventure as a result of a mere blunder;
Dorothy when she’s swept up in a tornado in The Wizard of Oz .
Be casually strolling when some passing phenomenon catches the wandering eye and lures one away from the frequented paths of man.
Elliot in E.T. upon discovering a lost alien in the tool shed.

The stakes of the adventure and the Hero's goals become clear. The only question: will he rise to the challenge?

3. Refusal of the Call

In which the Hero digs in their feet.

Great, so the Hero’s received their summons. Now they’re all set to be whisked off to defeat evil, right?

Not so fast. The Hero might first refuse the call to action. It’s risky and there are perils — like spiders, trolls, or perhaps a creepy uncle waiting back at Pride Rock . It’s enough to give anyone pause.

In Star Wars , for instance, Luke Skywalker initially refuses to join Obi-Wan on his mission to rescue the princess. It’s only when he discovers that his aunt and uncle have been killed by stormtroopers that he changes his mind.

4. Meeting the Mentor

In which the Hero acquires a personal trainer.

The Hero's decided to go on the adventure — but they’re not ready to spread their wings yet. They're much too inexperienced at this point and we don't want them to do a fabulous belly-flop off the cliff.

Enter the mentor: someone who helps the Hero, so that they don't make a total fool of themselves (or get themselves killed). The mentor provides practical training, profound wisdom, a kick up the posterior, or something abstract like grit and self-confidence.

Harry holding the Marauder's Map with the twins

Wise old wizards seem to like being mentors. But mentors take many forms, from witches to hermits and suburban karate instructors. They might literally give weapons to prepare for the trials ahead, like Q in the James Bond series. Or perhaps the mentor is an object, such as a map. In all cases, they prepare the Hero for the next step.

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5. Crossing the First Threshold

In which the Hero enters the other world in earnest.

Now the Hero is ready — and committed — to the journey. This marks the end of the Departure stage and is when the adventure really kicks into the next gear. As Vogler writes: “This is the moment that the balloon goes up, the ship sails, the romance begins, the wagon gets rolling.”

From this point on, there’s no turning back.

Like our Hero, you should think of this stage as a checkpoint for your story. Pause and re-assess your bearings before you continue into unfamiliar territory. Have you:

Launched the central conflict? If not, here’s a post on types of conflict to help you out.
Established the theme of your book? If not, check out this post that’s all about creating theme and motifs .
Made headway into your character development? If not, this character profile template may be useful:

Reedsy’s Character Profile Template

A story is only as strong as its characters. Fill this out to develop yours.

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

In which the Hero faces new challenges and gets a squad.

When we step into the Special World, we notice a definite shift. The Hero might be discombobulated by this unfamiliar reality and its new rules. This is generally one of the longest stages in the story , as our protagonist gets to grips with this new world.

This makes a prime hunting ground for the series of tests to pass! Luckily, there are many ways for the Hero to get into trouble:

In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle , Spencer, Bethany, “Fridge,” and Martha get off to a bad start when they bump into a herd of bloodthirsty hippos.
In his first few months at Hogwarts, Harry Potter manages to fight a troll, almost fall from a broomstick and die, and get horribly lost in the Forbidden Forest.
Marlin and Dory encounter three “reformed” sharks, get shocked by jellyfish, and are swallowed by a blue whale en route to finding Nemo.

The shark scares Marlin and Dory in Finding Nemo

This stage often expands the cast of characters. Once the protagonist is in the Special World, he will meet allies and enemies — or foes that turn out to be friends and vice versa. He will learn a new set of rules from them. Saloons and seedy bars are popular places for these transactions, as Vogler points out (so long as the Hero survives them).

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

In which the Hero gets closer to his goal.

This isn’t a physical cave. Instead, the “inmost cave” refers to the most dangerous spot in the other realm — whether that’s the villain’s chambers, the lair of the fearsome dragon, or the Death Star. Almost always, it is where the ultimate goal of the quest is located.

Note that the protagonist hasn’t entered the Inmost Cave just yet. This stage is all about the approach to it. It covers all the prep work that's needed in order to defeat the villain.

In which the Hero faces his biggest test of all thus far.

Of all the tests the Hero has faced, none have made them hit rock bottom — until now. Vogler describes this phase as a “black moment.” Campbell refers to it as the “belly of the whale.” Both indicate some grim news for the Hero.

The protagonist must now confront their greatest fear. If they survive it, they will emerge transformed. This is a critical moment in the story, as Vogler explains that it will “inform every decision that the Hero makes from this point forward.”

The Ordeal is sometimes not the climax of the story. There’s more to come. But you can think of it as the main event of the second act — the one in which the Hero actually earns the title of “Hero.”

9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)

In which the Hero sees light at the end of the tunnel.

Our Hero’s been through a lot. However, the fruits of their labor are now at hand — if they can just reach out and grab them! The “reward” is the object or knowledge the Hero has fought throughout the entire journey to hold.

Once the protagonist has it in their possession, it generally has greater ramifications for the story. Vogler offers a few examples of it in action:

Luke rescues Princess Leia and captures the plans of the Death Star — keys to defeating Darth Vader.
Dorothy escapes from the Wicked Witch’s castle with the broomstick and the ruby slippers — keys to getting back home.

10. The Road Back

In which the light at the end of the tunnel might be a little further than the Hero thought.

The story's not over just yet, as this phase marks the beginning of Act Three. Now that he's seized the reward, the Hero tries to return to the Ordinary World, but more dangers (inconveniently) arise on the road back from the Inmost Cave.

More precisely, the Hero must deal with the consequences and aftermath of the previous act: the dragon, enraged by the Hero who’s just stolen a treasure from under his nose, starts the hunt. Or perhaps the opposing army gathers to pursue the Hero across a crowded battlefield. All further obstacles for the Hero, who must face them down before they can return home.

11. Resurrection

In which the last test is met.

Here is the true climax of the story. Everything that happened prior to this stage culminates in a crowning test for the Hero, as the Dark Side gets one last chance to triumph over the Hero.

Vogler refers to this as a “final exam” for the Hero — they must be “tested once more to see if they have really learned the lessons of the Ordeal.” It’s in this Final Battle that the protagonist goes through one more “resurrection.” As a result, this is where you’ll get most of your miraculous near-death escapes, à la James Bond's dashing deliverances. If the Hero survives, they can start looking forward to a sweet ending.

12. Return with the Elixir

In which our Hero has a triumphant homecoming.

Finally, the Hero gets to return home. However, they go back a different person than when they started out: they’ve grown and matured as a result of the journey they’ve taken.

But we’ve got to see them bring home the bacon, right? That’s why the protagonist must return with the “Elixir,” or the prize won during the journey, whether that’s an object or knowledge and insight gained.

Of course, it’s possible for a story to end on an Elixir-less note — but then the Hero would be doomed to repeat the entire adventure.

Examples of The Hero’s Journey in Action

To better understand this story template beyond the typical sword-and-sorcery genre, let's analyze three examples, from both screenplay and literature, and examine how they implement each of the twelve steps.

The 1976 film Rocky is acclaimed as one of the most iconic sports films because of Stallone’s performance and the heroic journey his character embarks on.

Ordinary World. Rocky Balboa is a mediocre boxer and loan collector — just doing his best to live day-to-day in a poor part of Philadelphia.
Call to Adventure. Heavyweight champ Apollo Creed decides to make a big fight interesting by giving a no-name loser a chance to challenge him. That loser: Rocky Balboa.
Refusal of the Call. Rocky says, “Thanks, but no thanks,” given that he has no trainer and is incredibly out of shape.
Meeting the Mentor. In steps former boxer Mickey “Mighty Mick” Goldmill, who sees potential in Rocky and starts training him physically and mentally for the fight.
Crossing the First Threshold. Rocky crosses the threshold of no return when he accepts the fight on live TV, and 一 in parallel 一 when he crosses the threshold into his love interest Adrian’s house and asks her out on a date.
Tests, Allies, Enemies. Rocky continues to try and win Adrian over and maintains a dubious friendship with her brother, Paulie, who provides him with raw meat to train with.
Approach to the Inmost Cave. The Inmost Cave in Rocky is Rocky’s own mind. He fears that he’ll never amount to anything — something that he reveals when he butts heads with his trainer, Mickey, in his apartment.
Ordeal. The start of the training montage marks the beginning of Rocky’s Ordeal. He pushes through it until he glimpses hope ahead while running up the museum steps.
Reward (Seizing the Sword). Rocky's reward is the restoration of his self-belief, as he recognizes he can try to “go the distance” with Apollo Creed and prove he's more than "just another bum from the neighborhood."
The Road Back. On New Year's Day, the fight takes place. Rocky capitalizes on Creed's overconfidence to start strong, yet Apollo makes a comeback, resulting in a balanced match.
Resurrection. The fight inflicts multiple injuries and pushes both men to the brink of exhaustion, with Rocky being knocked down numerous times. But he consistently rises to his feet, enduring through 15 grueling rounds.
Return with the Elixir. Rocky loses the fight — but it doesn’t matter. He’s won back his confidence and he’s got Adrian, who tells him that she loves him.

Moving outside of the ring, let’s see how this story structure holds on a completely different planet and with a character in complete isolation.

The Martian

In Andy Weir’s self-published bestseller (better known for its big screen adaptation) we follow astronaut Mark Watney as he endures the challenges of surviving on Mars and working out a way to get back home.

The Ordinary World. Botanist Mark and other astronauts are on a mission on Mars to study the planet and gather samples. They live harmoniously in a structure known as "the Hab.”
Call to Adventure. The mission is scrapped due to a violent dust storm. As they rush to launch, Mark is flung out of sight and the team believes him to be dead. He is, however, very much alive — stranded on Mars with no way of communicating with anyone back home.
Refusal of the Call. With limited supplies and grim odds of survival, Mark concludes that he will likely perish on the desolate planet.
Meeting the Mentor. Thanks to his resourcefulness and scientific knowledge he starts to figure out how to survive until the next Mars mission arrives.
Crossing the First Threshold. Mark crosses the mental threshold of even trying to survive 一 he successfully creates a greenhouse to cultivate a potato crop, creating a food supply that will last long enough.
Tests, Allies, Enemies. Loneliness and other difficulties test his spirit, pushing him to establish contact with Earth and the people at NASA, who devise a plan to help.
Approach to the Inmost Cave. Mark faces starvation once again after an explosion destroys his potato crop.
Ordeal. A NASA rocket destined to deliver supplies to Mark disintegrates after liftoff and all hope seems lost.
Reward (Seizing the Sword). Mark’s efforts to survive are rewarded with a new possibility to leave the planet. His team 一 now aware that he’s alive 一 defies orders from NASA and heads back to Mars to rescue their comrade.
The Road Back. Executing the new plan is immensely difficult 一 Mark has to travel far to locate the spaceship for his escape, and almost dies along the way.
Resurrection. Mark is unable to get close enough to his teammates' ship but finds a way to propel himself in empty space towards them, and gets aboard safely.
Return with the Elixir. Now a survival instructor for aspiring astronauts, Mark teaches students that space is indifferent and that survival hinges on solving one problem after another, as well as the importance of other people’s help.

Coming back to Earth, let’s now examine a heroine’s journey through the wilderness of the Pacific Crest Trail and her… humanity.

The memoir Wild narrates the three-month-long hiking adventure of Cheryl Strayed across the Pacific coast, as she grapples with her turbulent past and rediscovers her inner strength.

The Ordinary World. Cheryl shares her strong bond with her mother who was her strength during a tough childhood with an abusive father.
Call to Adventure. As her mother succumbs to lung cancer, Cheryl faces the heart-wrenching reality to confront life's challenges on her own.
Refusal of the Call. Cheryl spirals down into a destructive path of substance abuse and infidelity, which leads to hit rock bottom with a divorce and unwanted pregnancy.
Meeting the Mentor. Her best friend Lisa supports her during her darkest time. One day she notices the Pacific Trail guidebook, which gives her hope to find her way back to her inner strength.
Crossing the First Threshold. She quits her job, sells her belongings, and visits her mother’s grave before traveling to Mojave, where the trek begins.
Tests, Allies, Enemies. Cheryl is tested by her heavy bag, blisters, rattlesnakes, and exhaustion, but many strangers help her along the trail with a warm meal or hiking tips.
Approach to the Inmost Cave. As Cheryl goes through particularly tough and snowy parts of the trail her emotional baggage starts to catch up with her.
Ordeal. She inadvertently drops one of her shoes off a cliff, and the incident unearths the helplessness she's been evading since her mother's passing.
Reward (Seizing the Sword). Cheryl soldiers on, trekking an impressive 50 miles in duct-taped sandals before finally securing a new pair of shoes. This small victory amplifies her self-confidence.
The Road Back. On the last stretch, she battles thirst, sketchy hunters, and a storm, but more importantly, she revisits her most poignant and painful memories.
Resurrection. Cheryl forgives herself for damaging her marriage and her sense of worth, owning up to her mistakes. A pivotal moment happens at Crater Lake, where she lets go of her frustration at her mother for passing away.
Return with the Elixir. Cheryl reaches the Bridge of the Gods and completes the trail. She has found her inner strength and determination for life's next steps.

There are countless other stories that could align with this template, but it's not always the perfect fit. So, let's look into when authors should consider it or not.

When should writers use The Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey is just one way to outline a novel and dissect a plot. For more longstanding theories on the topic, you can go this way to read about the ever-popular Three-Act Structure or here to discover Dan Harmon's Story Circle and three more prevalent structures .

So when is it best to use the Hero’s Journey? There are a couple of circumstances which might make this a good choice.

When you need more specific story guidance than simple structures can offer

Simply put, the Hero’s Journey structure is far more detailed and closely defined than other story structure theories. If you want a fairly specific framework for your work than a thee-act structure, the Hero’s Journey can be a great place to start.

Of course, rules are made to be broken . There’s plenty of room to play within the confines of the Hero’s Journey, despite it appearing fairly prescriptive at first glance. Do you want to experiment with an abbreviated “Resurrection” stage, as J.K. Rowling did in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Are you more interested in exploring the journey of an anti-hero? It’s all possible.

Once you understand the basics of this universal story structure, you can use and bend it in ways that disrupt reader expectations.

Need more help developing your book? Try this template on for size:

Get our Book Development Template

Use this template to go from a vague idea to a solid plan for a first draft.

When your focus is on a single protagonist

No matter how sprawling or epic the world you’re writing is, if your story is, at its core, focused on a single character’s journey, then this is a good story structure for you. It’s kind of in the name! If you’re dealing with an entire ensemble, the Hero’s Journey may not give you the scope to explore all of your characters’ plots and subplot — a broader three-act structure may give you more freedom to weave a greater number story threads.

Which story structure is right for you?

Take this quiz and we'll match your story to a structure in minutes!

Whether you're a reader or writer, we hope our guide has helped you understand this universal story arc. Want to know more about story structure? We explain 6 more in our guide — read on!

6 responses

PJ Reece says:

25/07/2018 – 19:41

Nice vid, good intro to story structure. Typically, though, the 'hero's journey' misses the all-important point of the Act II crisis. There, where the hero faces his/her/its existential crisis, they must DIE. The old character is largely destroyed -- which is the absolute pre-condition to 'waking up' to what must be done. It's not more clever thinking; it's not thinking at all. Its SEEING. So many writing texts miss this point. It's tantamount to a religions experience, and nobody grows up without it. STORY STRUCTURE TO DIE FOR examines this dramatic necessity.

↪️ C.T. Cheek replied:

13/11/2019 – 21:01

Okay, but wouldn't the Act II crisis find itself in the Ordeal? The Hero is tested and arguably looses his/her/its past-self for the new one. Typically, the Hero is not fully "reborn" until the Resurrection, in which they defeat the hypothetical dragon and overcome the conflict of the story. It's kind of this process of rebirth beginning in the earlier sections of the Hero's Journey and ending in the Resurrection and affirmed in the Return with the Elixir.

Lexi Mize says:

25/07/2018 – 22:33

Great article. Odd how one can take nearly every story and somewhat plug it into such a pattern.

Bailey Koch says:

11/06/2019 – 02:16

This was totally lit fam!!!!

↪️ Bailey Koch replied:

11/09/2019 – 03:46

where is my dad?

Frank says:

12/04/2020 – 12:40

Great article, thanks! :) But Vogler didn't expand Campbell's theory. Campbell had seventeen stages, not twelve.

Comments are currently closed.

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The Hero’s Journey: 12 Steps That Make Up the Universal Structure of Great Stories

by David Safford | 0 comments

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At some in your writer's life, you've probably come across the term Hero's Journey. Maybe you've even studied this guide for storytelling and applied it to your own books—and yet, something about your own application felt off. You wanted to learn more, but didn't know where to start.

Maybe you needed a resource that would simplify the hero's journey steps and all the other major details instead of complicate them.

The Hero's Journey: The Ultimate Guide to the Universal Structure of Great Stories

The Hero's Journey is as old as humanity itself. And through history, this single story form has emerged over and over again. People from all cultures have seemed to favor its structure, and its familiar types of characters (archetypal hero, anyone?), symbols, relationships, and steps.

If you want to build or strengthen your writing career and win a following of many happy readers, you want this particular tool in your writer's toolbox.

Let's dive in.

Need help applying The Hero's Journey to your story outline and manuscript? Download this free Hero's Journey worksheet now!

Why I Love the Hero's Journey (And You Will, Too)

Like many, I grew up loving Star Wars. I especially loved the music and bought the soundtracks at some point in middle school. When my parents weren't home and I had the house all to myself, I'd slip one of the CDs into my stereo, crank the volume up, and blast the London Symphony Orchestra. I even pretended I was conducting the violins and timpani myself.

I know it's nerdy to admit. But we love what we love, and I love the music of great movies.

In a way, the Hero's Journey is like a soundtrack. It follows familiar beats and obeys age-old principles of human emotion. We can't necessarily explain why a piece of music is so beautiful, but we can explain what it does and simply acknowledge that most people like it.

As I've come to understand Joseph Campbell's groundbreaking monomyth theory, commonly known as the Hero's Journey, I've fallen deeper and deeper in love with it.

But it's important to make sure you know what it is, and what it isn't.

The Hero's Journey isn't a formula to simply follow, plugging in hackneyed characters into cliched situations.

It's not “selling out” and giving up your artistic integrity

The Hero's Journey is a set of steps, scenes, character types, symbols, and themes that tend to recur in stories regardless of culture or time period. Within these archetypes are nearly infinite variations and unique perspectives that are impacted by culture and period, reflecting wonderful traits of the authors and audiences.

Also, the Hero's Journey is a process that your reader expects your story to follow, whether they know it or not. This archetype is hard-wired into our D.N.A. Let's look at how to use it to make your own stories stronger.

How to Use This Hero's Journey Post

In the beginning, there were stories. These stories were told by mothers, soldiers, and performers. They were inscribed on the walls of caves, into tablets of stone, and on the first sheets of papyrus.

This is how the Hero's Journey was born.

In this post, I'll walk you through the Hero's Journey twelve steps, and teach you how to apply them into your story. I'll also share additional resources to teach you some other Hero's Journey essentials, like character archetypes, symbols, and themes. By the end of this post, you'll be able to easily apply the Hero's Journey to your story with confidence.

And don't skip out on the practice exercise at the end of the post! This will help you start to carve out the Hero's Journey for your story with a practical fifteen minute exercise—the best way to really retain how the Hero's Journey works is to apply it.

Table of Contents: The Hero's Journey Guide

What is the Hero's Journey?

Why the Hero's Journey will make you a better writer

The Twelve-Step Hero's Journey Structure

The Ordinary World
The Call to Adventure
The Refusal of the Call
Meeting the Mentor
Crossing the Threshold
Trials, Allies, and Enemies
The Approach
The Road Back
The Resurrection
Return With the Elixir

5 Essential Hero's Journey Scenes

A Guide to Structuring Your Hero's Journey

Bonus! Additional Hero's Journey Resources

5 Character Archetypes
5 Hero's Journey Symbols
5 Hero's Journey Themes

What Is the Hero's Journey?

The Hero's Journey is the timeless combination of characters, events, symbols, and relationships frequently structured as a sequence of twelve steps. It is a storytelling structure that anyone can study and utilize to tell a story that readers will love.

First identified and defined by Joseph Campbell, the Hero's Journey was theorizied in The Hero With a Thousand Faces . Today, it has been researched and taught by great minds, some including Carl Jung and Christopher Vogler (author of The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers ).

This research has given us lengthy and helpful lists of archetypes , or story elements that tend to recur in stories from any culture at any time.

And while some archetypes are unique to a genre, they are still consistent within those genres. For example, a horror story from Japan will still contain many of the same archetypes as a horror story from Ireland. There will certainly be notable differences in how these archetypes are depicted, but the tropes will still appear.

That's the power of the Hero's Journey. It is the skeleton key of storytelling that you can use to unlock the solution to almost any writing problem you are confronted with.

Why the Monomyth Will Make You a Better Writer

The Hero's Journey is the single most powerful tool at your disposal as a writer.

But it isn't a “rule,” so to speak. It's also not a to-do list.

If anything, the Hero's Journey is diagnostic, not prescriptive. In other words, it describes a story that works, but doesn't necessarily tell you what to do.

But the reason you should use the Hero's Journey isn't because it's a great trick or tool. You should use the Hero's Journey because it is based on thousands of years of human storytelling.

It provides a way to connect with readers from all different walks of life.

This is why stories about fantastical creatures from imaginary worlds can forge deep emotional connections with audiences. Hollywood knows this, and its best studios take advantage. As an example, The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien, contains mythical creatures like elves and hobbits. Yet it is Frodo's heroic journey of sacrifice and courage that draws us to him like a magnet.

Learn how to easily apply the Hero's Journey 12 Steps to your books in this post. Tweet this

David Safford

You deserve a great book. That's why David Safford writes adventure stories that you won't be able to put down. Read his latest story at his website. David is a Language Arts teacher, novelist, blogger, hiker, Legend of Zelda fanatic, puzzle-doer, husband, and father of two awesome children.

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Percy Jackson's Hero's Journey in The Lightning Thief

In this activity, activity overview, template and class instructions, more storyboard that activities, this activity is part of many teacher guides.

Percy Jackson has his own Hero’s Journey, just like the great heroes of old. He is, after all, a demigod born of Poseidon. Have students work together to discover the important events that fit into each category. This activity may be very challenging, so consider breaking up the Hero’s Journey components among groups of students, or working together as a class to identify them. There are different interpretations, depending on whether you focus on Percy’s main quest or his entire journey in his new world.

Example Hero's Journey for The Lightning Thief

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Use the story of The Lightning Thief and map it to the narrative structure of the Hero's Journey.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 4 (Difficult / Complex)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: The Hero's Journey

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric .)

Lightning Thief, The

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In storytelling, The Hero’s Journey is a common template identified by Joseph Campbell in the first half of the twentieth century. This template, typically split into 12 stages, outlines the different phases in a hero’s journey as they are called to adventure, face trials and tribulations, win a victory and return home changed or transformed.

To engage your group with this theme you might pick out some common fictional examples and break down how this format applies to them, like Star Wars, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. See some examples explained in this useful blog post .

There has been a call to adventure. Everyone should gather at the base of an athletic event they don’t enjoy so much. Discuss in these groups how prepared everyone feels for the challenges ahead and how they can keep going when it gets tough.

At this stage, it might be helpful to have as many bases set up as you have helpers (five should be enough), so everyone can be easily supervised.

This is where the heroes turn down the chance of an adventure because of fears or doubts. In the same groups and base as stage 2, everyone should discuss how they can help everyone feel comfortable and included in events such as these. Everyone can then support one another to have a go at the athletic event they don’t enjoy, to see if this support makes the challenge any easier.

The mentor is there to guide and inspire the heroes. Everyone should move to another base featuring an event they haven’t tried before, or the one they have the least experience with. Supporting one another, everyone should have a few attempts at the event and see if they can improve their time/distance/score.

The fifth stage of the quest is crossing the threshold at the start of the challenge. With a goal in mind, everyone should visit the remaining athletic event bases.

Those attempting the Athletics Plus Activity Badge will need to have their times, distances or scores recorded. This could be done by a young person not taking part in the challenge. You may need to set up more bases at this point.

The sixth stage of the quest is encountering tests, allies and enemies. Overcoming obstacles means working on your jumping skills! Have those taking part team up with an ally and take on an event like long jump, high jump or triple jump, if you have suitable equipment set up and appropriate supervision. Those who’ve already jumped should team up and try something like 100m hurdles or a standing jump. Allies should support one another and record the size of the jumps/times.

The seventh stage of the quest is the approach to the inmost cave. This is the place where the main conflict of the story takes place. At this point, someone’s bound to be chasing after you! Everyone should take part in a 100m, 200m or 400m race to get away.

The eighth stage of the quest is the ordeal, which is the main conflict in the inmost cave. It’s time for everyone to throw everything they have at this! Line up for shot or discus throwing, if you have the necessary equipment and appropriate supervision. Use an ordinary tennis ball otherwise. Extra points for distance!

The ordeal should be a transformative experience, so this might be a good time for a costume change, for those taking part to switch groups or partners, or for some other change dreamed up by your narrator! This will need to be risk assessed beforehand. Make sure costumes don’t prevent anyone from taking part safely.

The ninth stage of the quest is the reward or prize for defeating the baddie. Present your victorious heroes with the mystical cricket ball, or some other trophy, and allow everyone some time to take a well-earned breather.

The road back to the ordinary world is often long and tiring. Everyone should line up for an 800m or 1500m race, after another quick warm-up. It’s a long way home!

The eleventh stage of the quest is the resurrection or rebirth of the heroes. With all they’ve experienced, they should have picked up some new skills or seen things in a different way. See if anyone would like to try an event again that they didn’t enjoy or didn’t get a chance to do at the beginning.

The twelfth stage of the quest is returning home. Everyone should hold aloft their cricket ball in triumph. There’s one last test before they can return to their farms and boats. Everyone should bowl the cricket ball as far as they can. Extra points for technique and distance.

At this point, everyone will need a good cool-down. Doing the farming and boating motions from before could be part of this, as the heroes return to their ordinary lives.

This was a very different way to think about a sporty challenge. Everyone had to play their role in the story, and keep on top of the athletics events. Did this make anyone enjoy an event more than they thought they would? Did the story element make these events more or less fun? Why might this kind of activity be more inclusive than a typical school sports day?

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity , and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely .

Change the level of challenge

There are lots of elements to the hero’s journey that can be added or taken out to make this challenge easier or harder. In the same way, there are lots of athletics events that can be added or taken out.

Make it accessible

For more information on inclusivity in athletic events, check out this information from England Athletics .

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

We have applied this activity for describing what a large organization transformation would be like. It was very helpful for early identification of the people involved, the main challenges, desired outcomes, and needed guidance. We have also seen it being used after the fact, not as a futurespective, but as an activity to help the team tell a story about a journey they have just gone through.

This activity is inspired by Joseph Campbell’s book, which also inspired many movies, books, tv shows etc. You could play a video about heroes before starting the activity, getting the team into the activity` s mindset.

Remote-team advice : This activity works well for remote teams. Use a remote board of your choice.

CAMPBELL, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New World Library, 2008.

The stories we live have a profound impact on the way we view ourselves, the people around us and the world at large. A new paper published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that living a "Hero's Journey" may be the key to a life filled to the brim with meaning. The best part? You don't need to live an inherently exciting life to be a hero .

Researchers Benjamin Rogers, Michael Christian and Kurt Gray of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, co-authors of the paper, explain how the idea of the Hero's Journey is rooted in ancient tales like those of Beowulf and Gilgamesh and are still prevalent in contemporary pop culture, from the plotlines of Star Wars to the Marvel movies.

The Hero's Journey comprises seven key elements, each of which can apply to your life (with a little bit of conscious effort):

"We are innately—if not consciously—familiar with the narrative framework that makes up the Hero's Journey. Having a life story that aligns with this framework will make it more coherent, recognizable and compelling because of this cultural resonance," the researchers explain.

To put this to the test, the researchers conducted a series of 14 studies and developed a "re-storying intervention" to investigate the benefit of applying the Hero's Journey framework to our everyday lives. This intervention included reflective writing exercises, aimed at helping individuals identify and integrate the elements of the Hero's Journey into their personal narratives.

The main finding was that the more similar one's personal narrative is to a Hero's Journey, the more meaning in life they experience. This has to do, partly, with why we are fascinated by heroes in the first place. We resonate deeply with heroic protagonists as they exemplify certain characteristics, goals and virtues that are valued in society across cultures and time.

How Can The Average Person Live A Hero's Journey?

Living a Hero's Journey is all about effective storytelling. While one can go through life "as it happens," taking charge of each of the seven elements is what makes a real difference. This has to do with:

As it turns out, this method of grabbing life by the horns doesn't just help those who feel they have lost the plot to their own lives. Even people who already live a meaningful life can benefit from being better storytellers.

"We found that the effects of the intervention did not depend on prior views of life meaning. In other words, it boosted the meaning and well-being of all our participants in the same way," the researchers say.

The researchers suggest that this technique can be used at regular intervals or especially during challenging times. Additionally, individuals can seek out heroic adventures of their own (without trying anything dangerous). They are likely to find that new experiences can create an inspiring shift in perspective, allowing them to undertake their own heroic journey. For instance, one might find that they are an underdog , triumphant against all odds or realize that they are in their " redemption arc ."

"The Hero's Journey elements can act as a menu of sorts of ways to experience more life meaning. A side benefit of this will hopefully be an increased comfort in seeing oneself as a hero, since we all do kind, thoughtful and heroic things in our lives that are worth reflecting on," the researchers conclude.

Our personal narratives profoundly influence our resilience and well-being, indicating that there is power in becoming the "main character" in your life story. A Hero's Journey acts as a powerful lens through which we can perceive our lives as epic adventures and unlock a deeper sense of meaning and heroism in our everyday experiences. Remember, you are not merely a passive observer, but the author and protagonist of your story.

A full interview discussing research on the Hero's Journey can be found here: How To Reclaim Your Life With The 'Hero's Journey' Method, According To Research

Breaking Down the Character Archetypes of the Hero’s Journey

You’ve read about George Lucas’s use of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth found in his 1949 book, A Hero with a Thousand Faces , which is a common narrative pattern found in many stories from many different cultures worldwide. This narrative journey typically involves several character archetypes that affect the hero’s journey from beginning to end.

After the successful debut of Star Wars and Lucas’s discussions on using Campbell’s work as inspiration for his space opera, many producers, development executives, filmmakers, and screenwriters have explored the Monomyth with deeper and simplified approaches.

Christopher Vogler's Interpretation of the Hero's Journey

When Christopher Vogler, a development executive and screenwriter at Disney, was inspired by Joseph Campbell's concept of the story monomyth, he crafted a seven-page memo for Disney's development team and incoming screenwriters.

This memo, A Practical Guide to Joseph Cambell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces , laid the groundwork for what would later become Vogler's 1992 book, The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters . In this book, Vogler expanded upon Campbell’s ideas.

He adapted Campbell's mythical story structure into twelve distinct stages (from Campbell’s initial seventeen). Our concise interpretations of these stages include:

Within these stages are character archetypes that help to shape the hero’s journey, and their eventual character arc throughout the story.

Two people racing on light motorcycles in 'Tron: Legacy,' Breaking Down the Character Archetypes of the Hero’s Journey

'Tron: Legacy' (2010)

What Are Character Archetypes?

A character archetype is a common recurring representation of a character that embodies a set of universal and recognizable traits or characteristics. These archetypes are seen throughout literature, film, and other storytelling mediums—and they resonate with audiences because they are based on common human experiences or cultural norms.

Archetypes work well because they are instantly recognizable to readers and audiences. For writers, character archetypes can be adapted and molded with ease during character development.

Character archetypes are not specific characters in a story but rather broad categories or templates that individual characters can be based on or inspired by. They represent typical roles characters play in the narrative, and their actions and motivations are often predictable based on the archetype they represent.

However, writers can also choose to subvert those expectations to create a more dynamic character , as well as introduce much-needed twists and turns within the story.

Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mikey (Sean Astin), Mouth (Corey Feldman), and Data (Ke Huy Quan) looking a treasure map in 'The Goonies,' Breaking Down the Character Archetypes of the Hero’s Journey

'The Goonies' (1950)

The benefits of using character archetypes include:

Character archetypes can be used as tools to tell a compelling and universal story.

Four fishes in the dentist fish tank smiling at Nemo in 'Finding Nemo,' Breaking Down the Character Archetypes of the Hero’s Journey

'Finding Nemo' (2003)

What Are the Character Archetypes in the Hero's Journey?

Many archetypes in the hero's journey—the threshold guardian, the herald, the shapeshifter, the trickster, the ally, and the tempter/temptress—are more defined in later interpretations and expansions of Campbell's work. People like Vogler applied his theories to modern storytelling so writers, readers, and audiences could more easily understand the dynamics of Campbell’s monomyth.

Here, we’ll break down the main character archetypes in the hero's journey utilized in Campbell’s Monomyth and Vogler’s expanded breakdowns and interpretations.

The hero is the central figure of the story (protagonist) who undergoes a journey, facing challenges and transformations. The hero often starts as an ordinary person who is then called to adventure. They are present throughout the entire journey , from the ordinary world to the return with newfound knowledge or power.

Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Indiana Jones ( Raiders of the Lost Arc ), Katniss Everdeen ( The Hunger Games ), Barbie ( Barbie ), and Harry Potter (the Harry Potter series) are perfect examples of the hero character archetypes. You can include any protagonist within a story that goes on a physical or emotional journey.

As mentioned above, the hero in the hero’s journey usually begins their adventure within their ordinary world. This offers readers and audiences the chance to relate to the protagonist, empathize with their plight, and see the beginning of their character arc.

The shadow is the main antagonist of the story. The shadow reflects the darker aspects of the hero, sometimes represented as the mirror image (opposite) of the hero and their beliefs. Overall, they are the antagonist or villains present throughout the whole story in varied ways.

The shadow can also be represented in metaphorical terms. If a story’s hero journey is the protagonist dealing with alcoholism or addiction, those vices can serve as the shadow/antagonist/villain.

The quintessential shadows in cinema include characters like Darth Vader ( Star Wars ), Voldemort (the Harry Potter series), and Sauron ( The Lord of the Rings series). But you can also find a less villainous shadow that takes on a lighter antagonistic role without purely evil intentions.

A perfect example of that would be Principal Rooney in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off . He doesn’t have evil intentions like a villain does. However, he is the shadow or mirror image of Ferris Bueller. Ferris believes in freedom an expression . Rooney believes in order and control of others.

Edward "Ed" R. Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) smiling at a group in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' Breaking Down the Character Archetypes of the Hero’s Journey

'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986)

This character serves as a guide or teacher to the hero, providing them with advice, training, or magical assistance. The mentor is often a wise or experienced figure, although there have been literary and cinematic variances.

Look no further than the likes of Obi-Wan Kenobi ( Star Wars ), Yoda ( The Empire Strikes Back ), Mr. Miyagi ( The Karate Kid ), and Gandalf ( The Lord of the Rings series ) as core examples of the mentor.

Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) watching Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) in 'The Karate Kid'

'The Karate Kid' (1984)

Allies are friends or companions who support and accompany the hero through their journey. They often complement the hero's skills and help them face challenges.

In Star Wars , the allies of Luke Skywalker include Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the droids. In The Lord of the Rings series , the fellowship companions of Frodo encompass this character archetype. You can also look to any sidekick-type character as the perfect example of an ally:

Allies can also be characters who aren’t as close to the hero but offer some type of help along the way.

Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) and Julie (Beanie Feldstein) looking at houses in 'Lady Bird'

'Lady Bird' (2017)

The Threshold Guardian

These characters serve as obstacles the hero must overcome or circumvent on their journey. They are not always enemies but are present within the story to test the hero and give them the belief and ability to continue on their adventure.

Little John in the Robin Hood stories is initially the threshold guardian of the Sherwood Forest.

He eventually becomes an ally to Robin. But he’s initially a threshold guardian.

You can turn to Monthy Python and the Holy Grail as well. The Black Knight isn’t necessarily King Arthur’s foe. However, he’s there to defend the bridge at all costs.

The Herald

The herald is the character that initiates the call to adventure, pushing the hero to action, or providing the news or event that triggers their journey.

In Star Wars , R2-D2 is the herald of Luke’s journey because he delivers the message from Princess Leia to him . If Luke doesn’t see that message, he doesn’t show it to Obi-Wan Kenobi. And if Obi-Wan doesn’t see that message, he doesn’t convince Luke to come with him to join the Rebellion.

In Barbie , Weird Barbie is the one who tells Barbie the truth about what she is going through and what she must do to seek out the answers she needs.

The herald can be a major character, a supporting character, or even a minor character. In The Lord of the Rings , Gandalf is both mentor and herald, as he is the one who appears to Frodo, telling him he must bring the ring to Mordor.

The Shapeshifter

This archetype's loyalty and role are often unclear, and they can serve as an ally or an enemy to the hero. Sometimes both. Their unpredictable nature adds complexity to the story, usually resulting in twists and turns within the plot.

Snape in the Harry Potter series is one of the greatest shapeshifters in literature and film. His motives are unknown, mistaken, and hidden. He acts as both a shadow to Harry and later an ally.

Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series is another great example, embodying the role of an unpredictable ally whose loyalty is often questionable. Yes, he can be looked upon as an antihero protagonist of the movie. However, the clear hero of the story is Will.

Captain Jack Sparrow standing on the top of his sinking ship in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'

'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' (2003)

The Trickster

The trickster usually adds levity to the story through comic relief. They can be allies or enemies, but typically they cause trouble for both.

Jack Sparrow falls under this character archetype as well. But a better example may be Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. He embodies the definition of a trickster. He brings more comic relief to the movies after his initial first appearance in Thor .

Perhaps the better example would be Genie in Disney's Aladdin . He uses his powers for humorous and unexpected effects, often bending the rules and adding a lighthearted element to the story.

Tempter/Temptress

This archetype can be of any gender and represents temptation or distraction that diverts the hero from their path.

Catwoman in the Batman movies often plays the role of a temptress to Batman, combining allure with a morally ambiguous character.

Many of the Bond Girls in the James Bond films serve as temptresses, combining allure and mystery and often leading Bond into dangerous situations.

The Indiana Jones variation would be Elsa from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade .

One of the best examples of the Tempter playing a more pivotal role in the story is Avery Tolar in The Firm . He’s a senior partner at the law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke. His role is crucial in seducing the protagonist, Mitch McDeere, into the luxurious and corrupt world of the law firm.

He has a charismatic and persuasive personality. He mentors Mitch and exposes him to the high-stakes, high-reward lifestyle that the firm offers, including wealth, prestige, and power. Tolar's character is complex. He is a nuanced character who embodies the charm and allure that the firm uses to entice and trap its young associates.

His influence on Mitch is significant, as he represents the allure of success and the moral compromises that often accompany it. Tolar's character effectively demonstrates how the tempter archetype can be used to explore themes of corruption, temptation, and ethical dilemmas in a narrative.

The character archetypes found within the h ero’s journey offer writers the ability to take universal character templates and mold them to fit into stories that embrace the monomyth structure or use it as a starting point to tell a compelling and engaging story.

Use them in whatever way you’d like. They can encompass the more traditional definition within your story, or you can use these archetypes to set up expectations and later subvert those expectations to create a more enthralling and surprising plot.

CHECK OUT OUR PREPARATION NOTES SO YOU START YOUR STORY OFF ON THE RIGHT TRACK!

Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76

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IMAGES

The Hero’s Journey: Examples of Each Stage
12 Hero's Journey Stages Explained (Free Templates)
12 Hero's Journey Stages Explained (Free Templates)
13 The Hero's Journey Worksheet / worksheeto.com
Hero's Journey Lesson
The Hero's Journey ACTIVITY (Rewrite Your Life Story & Transform Your Life w/ Personal Narrative) P2

VIDEO

Turning Goals into Quests
A Hero's Journey! 🔱 #percyjackson #disneyplus #rickriordan #walkerscobell #leahjeffries #viral
The Hero’s Journey and disintegration anxiety. #josephcampbell #herosjourney
Hero's Journey Part 5-The Inner Most Cave (instrumental)
The Hero's Journey
The Hero's journey

COMMENTS

Teaching the Hero's Journey
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.
Heroes and the Hero's Journey: Lessons and Activities for Your Next
Activities. Hero's Journey Map: Have students create a map of their favorite hero's journey, using symbols to represent the different stages. ... The Hero's Journey: A Guide to Myth, Literature, and Life by David Fontana: This book provides a comprehensive overview of the hero's journey, from its ancient origins to its modern applications. It ...
Hero's Journey
The hero's journey is an ancient story pattern that can be found in texts from thousands of years ago or in newly released Hollywood blockbusters. This interactive tool will provide students with background on the hero's journey and give them a chance to explore several of the journey's key elements. Students can use the tool to record examples ...
How to Teach the Hero's Journey
Hero's Journey Roadmap: Play up the "adventure" element by encouraging students to design a creative roadmap to express the various stages of the Hero's Journey. Adapt this activity to reflect the 12 stages or the narrative structure in general or map out a specific character's experience. Either way, encourage students to use images ...
Hero's Journey Lesson
The hero cycle is prominent in Greek mythology. Choose a hero like Hercules, Jason, Odysseus, Perseus, or Theseus and walk students through the journey they took, identifying the various stages. Many of these heroes are referenced in popular literature and entertainment. As you explore the cycle, ask students to reflect on these modern connections.
Hero's Journey Worksheets: 16 Free Charts & Activities
Tips for Using Hero's Journey Worksheets. Here are some tips on integrating these worksheets into your ELA, film, or mythology lessons: Use as a Pre-Reading Activity: Distribute blank hero's journey chart graphic organizers and have your class speculate on key narrative events before reading a story. After reading, they can compare their ...
The hero's journey: ESL/EFL Lesson Plan and Worksheet
The hero's journey. In this lesson, students will watch a video showing how many famous stories follow the same pattern: the Hero's Journey. They will first discuss some beloved book and film heroes, then watch the video and do some comprehension tasks on it. They will also study different types of prefixes, discuss their impressions of the ...
PDF The Illustrated Hero's Journey
The Illustrated Hero's Journey Embark on a hero's journey through science fiction and fantasy! From Spiderman to The Wizard of Oz and beyond, heroic stories are everywhere in pop culture. In this lesson, we'll investigate Joseph Campbell's hero's journey and learn how to apply this model to our own writing. SUGGESTED GRADE RANGE: 5-8 LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The Hero's Journey Unit
E1.1 Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, discussion, and thinking-oral language. The student develops oral language through listening, speaking, and discussion. E1.8 Author's purpose and craft: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts.
Preparing for the Journey: An Introduction to the Hero Myth
Select the hero's journey text that students will eventually read or view and keep it in mind as students complete this introductory activity. Obtain copies of books from the Introducing the Hero's Journey through Picture Books list. Test The Hero's Journey tool and familiarize yourself with its content and layout. Ensure that you have the ...
The Odyssey Hero's Journey
This spawned the Hero's Journey, also known as the Monomyth. The most fundamental version has 12 steps that the hero faces, while more detailed versions can have up to 17. Teachers may wish for students to collaborate on this activity which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature.
Teaching Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey
THE HERO'S GUIDEBOOK (SALE ITEM) Humorously illustrated with over 40 cartoons by the author, this book takes readers through the stages of the Hero's Journey using examples from books, films, and even video games. Important archetypes like the Hero, the Mentor, the Shadow, the Ally, the Trickster, and the Threshold Guardian appear as well. . Each stage of the Hero's Journey also features ...
12 Hero's Journey Stages Explained (+ Free Templates)
The very first hero's journey arc was created by Joseph Campbell in 1949. It contained the following 17 steps: The Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call or a reason to go on a journey. Refusal of the Call: The hero does not accept the quest. They worry about their own abilities or fear the journey itself.
The Hero's Journey: The Path of Transformation
The Path of Transformation. The Hero's Journey: The Path of Transformation is the most comprehensive resource available for teaching and understanding the Hero's Journey. A synthesis of 40+ years experience and research, it combines detailed lesson plans with a wealth of resource material exploring the journey and its elements.
How to Use the Hero's Journey as a Life-Coaching Tool
They can see that whatever they're going through is temporary and has meaning. And that's the powerful piece. Once they are able to find meaning in something, it's much easier to accept ...
Hero's Journey: A Complete Guide to the Hero's Journey Steps
The hero's journey ends where it begins, back at the beginning after a quest of epic proportions. The 12 steps are separated into three acts: departure (1-5) initiation (5-10) return (10-1) The hero journeys through the 12 steps in a clockwise fashion. As Campbell explains:
Hero's Journey: Get a Strong Story Structure in 12 Steps
The Hero's Journey is a model for both plot points and character development: as the Hero traverses the world, they'll undergo inner and outer transformation at each stage of the journey. The 12 steps of the hero's journey are: The Ordinary World. We meet our hero. Call to Adventure.
The Hero's Journey: 12 Steps That Make Up the Universal Structure of
Step 7: Approach to the Inmost Cave. Eventually the Hero must arrive at the destination, and that destination is frequently a fortress, cave, or dungeon crawling with monsters, enemies, or traps. This will lead to the story's climax, but the best heroic journeys include a step before the big fight.
12 Stages of Percy Jackson's Hero's Journey with Activity
This activity may be very challenging, so consider breaking up the Hero's Journey components among groups of students, or working together as a class to identify them. There are different interpretations, depending on whether you focus on Percy's main quest or his entire journey in his new world. Example Hero's Journey for The Lightning Thief
The hero's journey
The hero's journey: a storytelling structure. In storytelling, The Hero's Journey is a common template identified by Joseph Campbell in the first half of the twentieth century. This template, typically split into 12 stages, outlines the different phases in a hero's journey as they are called to adventure, face trials and tribulations, win a victory and return home changed or transformed.
Hero's Journey
Hero's Journey is a futurespective activity to help describe a story that the team is pursuing. Running the activity: Explain the intention of the activity: "We are here to collectively write our hero's journey story.". Describe the main areas of your journey. We are focusing on the following areas of our story: * The hero: the person ...
PDF Exploring the 12 Stages of the Hero's Journey
3. Refusal of the Call: The hero initially refuses the adventure because of hesitation, fears, insecurity, or any other number of issues. 4. Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor that can give them advice, wisdom, information, or items that ready them for the journey ahead. 5.
Here's How To Use The 'Hero's Journey Method' To Chart Your Life Path
"The Hero's Journey elements can act as a menu of sorts of ways to experience more life meaning. A side benefit of this will hopefully be an increased comfort in seeing oneself as a hero, since we all do kind, thoughtful and heroic things in our lives that are worth reflecting on," the researchers conclude. Conclusion
Breaking Down the Character Archetypes of the Hero's Journey
Christopher Vogler's Interpretation of the Hero's Journey. When Christopher Vogler, a development executive and screenwriter at Disney, was inspired by Joseph Campbell's concept of the story monomyth, he crafted a seven-page memo for Disney's development team and incoming screenwriters. This memo, A Practical Guide to Joseph Cambell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces, laid the groundwork for ...
[DUNGEON NO.8] Anime Dungeon Fighters Codes For April 2024
Anime Dungeon Fighters is an experience on the Roblox platform inspired by multiple anime, manga and manhua series, where players choose a weapon and start their journey to become the strongest ...

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The Hero's Journey

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