The Hero's Journey

The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell

Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was an American comparative mythologist, writer, and lecturer, best known for his work in the fields of comparative mythology and comparative religion.

He was a professor of literature at Sarah Lawrence College for almost 40 years and wrote several books, including "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" and "The Power of Myth." Campbell's work is noted for its broad comparative approach to the study of mythology, where he analyzed myths and legends from different cultures, drawing out common patterns and themes that he argued are universal.

Campbell popularized the idea of the "hero's journey," a narrative pattern that he believed appeared in many different cultures throughout human history. His work has been widely influential and continues to inspire new generations of writers, filmmakers, and artists.

Or, as Austin puts it, "oh, really? this again???" before lamenting how many NLP trainers trot out a horribly superficial explanation of Campbell's work in a vain attempt at explaining "archetypes" and sounding clever. Just like he did with this very page, in fact.

Hero's Journey

The hero's journey is a narrative pattern popularized by comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell, which describes a common sequence of events that appears in many myths, legends, and folktales from different cultures around the world. The model describes a hero's journey from their ordinary world to an extraordinary one and back again. The hero's journey typically consists of the following stages:

1. The Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call to leave their ordinary world and embark on an adventure. They may receive a literal call, such as a summons, or a metaphorical call, such as a personal crisis that leads them to seek change.
2. Refusal of the Call: The hero initially resists the call to adventure, often due to fear or a sense of obligation to their current life.
3. Meeting the Mentor: The hero meets a wise and experienced mentor who helps them prepare for the journey ahead.
4. Crossing the Threshold: The hero finally decides to leave their ordinary world and cross the threshold into the unknown.
5. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero encounters various challenges and obstacles along the way, making new allies and enemies along the way.
6. Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero approaches the heart of their journey, the inmost cave, where they will face their greatest challenge and prove their worth.
7. The Supreme Ordeal: The hero faces their greatest challenge and must draw upon their strengths and skills to overcome it.
8. Reward: The hero emerges victorious from their trial and receives a reward, such as a treasure, knowledge, or a new sense of self.
9. The Road Back: The hero begins the journey back to their ordinary world, often with a new sense of purpose and understanding.
10. Resurrection: The hero experiences a final test or challenge, often putting their new skills and knowledge to the test.
11. Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to their ordinary world, bringing with them the elixir, a symbol of the transformation they have undergone and the wisdom they have gained.

This model has been widely used in literature, film, and other forms of storytelling as a structure for creating compelling and meaningful narratives. There are a few additional points to consider about the hero's journey model:

Flexibility: Although the stages of the hero's journey are typically described in a specific order, the model is flexible and can be adapted to different stories and cultures.

Recurrence: The hero's journey is a recurring pattern that can be found in many different myths, legends, and folktales from around the world.

Universal themes: The hero's journey is noted for its universal themes, such as the transformation from innocence to experience, the search for meaning and identity, and the triumph over obstacles.

Cultural Variations: The hero's journey can vary between different cultures, with different elements emphasized and different interpretations of the stages.

Modern Adaptations: The hero's journey has been adapted and modified for contemporary storytelling, particularly in the fields of film and literature.

Psychological Significance: Campbell's work on the hero's journey has been influential in the field of psychology, where it has been interpreted as a metaphor for the process of individuation or the journey from adolescence to adulthood.

Overall, the hero's journey model offers a useful framework for understanding the patterns and themes that appear in myths, legends, and folktales from different cultures and for creating compelling stories in modern storytelling.

Literary Examples

There are many examples of literature that follow Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey pattern. Here are a few:

"The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien - Frodo Baggins is called to adventure when he is given the task of destroying the One Ring. He faces numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, including the Road of Trials and the meeting with the goddess Galadriel. He ultimately achieves his goal and returns to the Shire as a changed hero.

"Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter is called to adventure when he learns that he is a wizard and is accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He faces many challenges and obstacles, including the fight against Lord Voldemort, and ultimately achieves his goal of defeating him.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis - The Pevensie children are called to adventure when they enter the magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe. They face many challenges and obstacles, including the fight against the evil White Witch, and ultimately achieve their goal of becoming rulers of Narnia.

"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien - Bilbo Baggins is called to adventure when he is asked by Gandalf to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their homeland. He faces many challenges and obstacles along the way, including facing the dragon Smaug, and ultimately achieves his goal of helping the dwarves reclaim their home.

"Star Wars" original trilogy - Luke Skywalker is called to adventure when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi and learns about the Force. He faces many challenges and obstacles, including the fight against the evil Empire and his confrontation with Darth Vader, and ultimately achieves his goal of saving the galaxy and becoming a Jedi Knight.

Criticisms

While Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey model has been influential in understanding the structure of narratives and stories, it has also faced criticisms. Here are some of the main criticisms of the model:

Overgeneralization: Critics argue that the Hero's Journey model is too broad and overgeneralized, as it claims to apply to all narratives and stories across cultures and time periods. Some argue that there are significant differences between stories from different cultures that cannot be reduced to a single monomyth.

Lack of diversity: Some critics argue that the Hero's Journey model reflects a narrow, Western-centric view of storytelling, and that it does not accurately represent stories from other cultures or perspectives. The model has been criticized for focusing too heavily on male heroes and patriarchal structures, which can exclude or marginalize other voices.

Inflexibility: The Hero's Journey model can be seen as inflexible, as it assumes a linear progression of stages that all stories must follow. Critics argue that this ignores the many ways in which stories can be structured, and that it can limit creativity and originality in storytelling.

Simplification: Critics argue that the Hero's Journey model oversimplifies the complex nature of storytelling, reducing it to a formulaic structure that ignores the nuances and intricacies of individual stories. This can lead to a lack of appreciation for the unique elements and themes of different narratives.

A Collection of Idioms for Heroes

Answer the call: This idiom refers to the hero's decision to embark on their adventure, accepting the challenge or quest that has been presented to them.

Crossing the threshold: This expression describes the moment when the hero leaves their familiar world behind and enters a new, unknown realm, marking the start of their journey.

Trial by fire: This idiom represents the various tests, challenges, and ordeals that the hero faces throughout their journey, which serve to strengthen their character and prepare them for the ultimate challenge.

Meeting the mentor: This phrase refers to the encounter between the hero and a wise figure, who provides guidance, knowledge, and support to help the hero navigate their journey.

Into the belly of the beast: This expression captures the hero's descent into the most dangerous and darkest part of their adventure, where they face their greatest fears and challenges.

Seize the sword: This idiom represents the hero's acquisition of a powerful weapon or skill, which will be crucial for their success in the final confrontation.

Apotheosis: This term refers to the hero's transformation and spiritual growth, as they learn important lessons and gain new insights that help them to become a more enlightened, powerful being.

The road back: This phrase describes the hero's return journey, as they make their way back to their ordinary world, often facing new challenges or temptations along the way.

Resurrection: This idiom captures the idea of the hero's final, decisive victory over their greatest adversary, which often involves a symbolic or literal death and rebirth.

Return with the elixir: This expression refers to the hero's successful completion of their journey, as they bring back a valuable treasure, knowledge, or skill that benefits their original world.

A leap of faith: This idiom embodies the hero's willingness to take risks and trust in the unknown during their journey, often leading to personal growth and unexpected rewards.

Allies and enemies: This expression highlights the hero's encounters with both supportive companions and antagonistic figures throughout their journey, which shape their experiences and contribute to their development.

The dark night of the soul: This phrase describes the hero's lowest point, where they face intense despair or doubt, but ultimately find the inner strength to continue their quest.

Champion's reward: This idiom represents the hero's just and deserved compensation for their perseverance, courage, and accomplishments throughout their journey.

A phoenix rising from the ashes: This metaphor captures the hero's rebirth and transformation after overcoming great adversity, emerging stronger and more resilient than before.

Navigating uncharted waters: This expression conveys the hero's journey into unfamiliar territory, both physically and metaphorically, as they face new challenges and learn valuable lessons.

Triumph over adversity: This idiom encapsulates the hero's ability to overcome obstacles, fears, and setbacks, ultimately achieving their goal and returning home as a changed person.

The circle of life: This phrase highlights the cyclical nature of the hero's journey, where the completion of one adventure often leads to the beginning of another, marking the ongoing process of personal growth and self-discovery.

Embrace the unknown: This idiom signifies the hero's courage and curiosity in facing uncertainty, allowing them to grow and adapt throughout their journey.

Unravelling the mystery: This expression describes the hero's process of uncovering hidden truths or solving complex problems, often central to their quest and personal development.

Forge ahead: This phrase embodies the hero's determination and persistence, as they continue to move forward on their journey despite the difficulties they encounter.

A Herculean task: This idiom represents a monumental challenge faced by the hero, often requiring immense strength, courage, or skill to overcome.

A moment of clarity: This expression highlights the hero's sudden, profound insight or understanding, often gained through reflection or personal revelation, which enables them to advance on their journey.

The winds of change: This phrase captures the hero's transformative experiences, as they adapt to new circumstances, confront new challenges, and grow as a result of their journey.

From the ashes, a hero rises: This idiom embodies the hero's resilience and ability to overcome failure or defeat, rising stronger and wiser to continue their quest.

The test of time: This expression signifies the hero's endurance and ability to withstand the challenges and trials they face throughout their journey, ultimately emerging victorious.

A guiding star: This phrase refers to a beacon of hope or inspiration that leads the hero through their darkest moments, helping them stay focused on their goals and persevere in the face of adversity.

Homophones

Knight/night: A valiant warrior or defender (knight) juxtaposed with the darkness or a period of difficulty (night), reflecting the hero's courage in the face of adversity.

Sole/soul: The uniqueness or individuality of the hero's journey (sole) contrasted with their inner spirit and essence (soul), highlighting the personal growth and transformation they experience.

Peek/peak: A brief or partial view of something hidden (peek) in comparison to the highest point or pinnacle of the hero's journey (peak), capturing the anticipation and achievement associated with their adventure.

Heir/air: The person inheriting a legacy or responsibility (heir) versus the atmosphere or ambience surrounding the hero's journey (air), emphasising the passing on of knowledge and the impact of their experiences.

Feat/feet: An impressive achievement or accomplishment (feat) contrasted with the physical journey or progress made by the hero (feet), highlighting the importance of both action and personal growth in their adventure.

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Online Resources

The Hero's Journey - The Joseph Campbell Foundation: [[1]] - An overview of Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey provided by the Joseph Campbell Foundation, with an explanation of the key stages and examples from various cultures.

The Hero's Journey: Mythic Structure of Campbell's Monomyth: [[2]] - A detailed analysis of the Hero's Journey in the context of film and storytelling, including a breakdown of the stages and examples from popular movies.

The Writer's Journey - Christopher Vogler: [[3]] - The official website of Christopher Vogler, author of "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers", which explores the application of Campbell's Hero's Journey to storytelling and screenwriting.

TED-Ed: What Makes a Hero? - Matthew Winkler: [[4]] - An educational video that examines the elements of the Hero's Journey, with examples from literature, film, and real-life experiences, produced by TED-Ed.

National Geographic: Hero's Journey in Literature: [[5]] - An article by National Geographic that discusses the Hero's Journey in the context of literature, providing examples from various works of fiction and explaining the key stages of the journey.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces - Monomyth.org: [[6]] - A website dedicated to Campbell's seminal work, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces", offering insights into the Hero's Journey, its relevance to modern storytelling, and related resources.

MythologyTeacher.com: The Hero's Journey: [[7]] - A resource for educators that provides lesson plans, activities, and resources related to Campbell's Hero's Journey, as well as a basic overview of the concept.

PBS: The Hero's Journey - Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth: [[8]] - A segment from the PBS series "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth" that explores the Hero's Journey and its connection to mythology and storytelling.