...Have you ever noticed a pattern that keeps reoccurring in most of the stories, mythologies, and even movies you have encountered? Jung Carl, a psychologist, had. He recognized a pattern called the hero's journey. Carl was the first to introduce archetypes to the world of literature. Joseph Campbell further expanded Jung's idea in his book A Hero With a Thousand Faces and renamed it the monomyth. The monomyth theory is consisting of various stages such the departure, initiation, transformation, and the hero's return. The monomyth is divided into four main stages. The introductory stage is known as the hero's departure. The heroes will first appeared as an outcast or an insignificant character who have a trite and ordinary life. They will then be exposed to a conflict or the call of adventure. This capricious change often resulted in the heroes' rejection to the call. Regardless to their initial answer, a predicament will disrupt the heroes' tranquil life and makes them more incline to accept the task. Hence the heroes bid their farewell and commence their journey. For example, Neo from the Matrix appeared to be a trivial character in his ordinary world. The setting was the Matrix, an illusory world inside people's head. Then came the call of adventure, Neo received bizarre call informing him to escape as the Matrix came to...
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...Is the Story of Mulan an inspirational tale to women or a subtle reminder by Disney about a woman’s place in society? One could say that they Disney princesses are all the same – Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty- they’re all tall, skinny, undeniably beautiful with their long flowing hair and fabulous gowns. They all play the damsel in distress, completely helpless to fend for themselves in the real world. They all await their happily ever after with the handsome prince charming. Mulan however, is different – or at least upon first glance appears to be. In the film, this young woman plays two opposing roles. On one hand, Mulan is the clumsy young woman, considered such an unfit bride that even the matchmaker considers there to be no hope for her “You are a disgrace, you may look like a bride but you will never bring your family honour...” On the other hand, she also plays Ping, the fearless young soldier who was loved by all, who grew from strength to strength and pretty much singlehandedly saved China from the invasion of the Huns. In order for Mulan to save her father from conscription she must give up her female self to pose as a man and join the army. This however, as far as Mulan is concerned, isn’t such a huge loss as she feels she really doesn’t fit in as a traditional Chinese woman. In the opening song she lists all that she is expected to be as a woman, as the perfect Chinese woman – quiet...
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...Seventy six years ago, John Steinbeck released what The New York Times called ‘A thriller, a gripping tale that you wilnot set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick’. Of Mice and Men is a novel and film demonstrating the Heroes Journey and a tale of friendship that triumphs over incredible odds, of life in the dust bowl of the Great Depression. But what is it about Steinbeck’s novel that never ceases to appeal to all audiences? From Joseph Campbell’s novel The Hero With A Thousand Faces, a twelve step model known as ‘The Hero’s Journey’ and ‘Archetypes’ has been established. The Hero’s Journey is a narrative pattern that the leading character takes on their typical adventure, and the Archetypes are the supporting characters though out the story. The Heroes Journey and archetypes can be perceived in thousands of stories, dramas, storytelling, religious rituals and psychological development including Of Mice and Men. The narrative pattern of, Of Mice and Men starts with the first stage, what Joseph Campbell called ‘The Ordinary World’. George and Lennie’s ordinary world is going around America, from job to job and ranch to ranch to complete their ‘American Dream’, they wished to own their own property and ‘live offa the fatta the lan’. George and Lennie were forced to leave their hometown, Lennie did not realise his strength and got himself into trouble, this was common for Lennie, but George was always there to fix the problem. As discovered by the reader...
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...William E. Cosper English 201 – Spring 2016 Prof. Andreason March 29th 2016 The Hero’s Journey & Whale Rider Joseph Campbell's “Hero with a Thousand Faces” is the journey that heroes from myth undertake to transfer from their uncomfortable limits to their maximum potential. Throughout Campbell’s studies of myths, he has realized that all heroes follow a fundamentally similar path. Their stories are universal, which is why it is essential for us to pay attention to the myths of the Hero’s Journey so we can reach our maximum potential. The film “Whale Rider” you find the role of the hero is very important. The Call to Adventure: “The herald or announcer of the adventure, therefore, is often dark, loathly, or terrifying, judged evil by the world; yet if one could follow, the way would be opened through the walls of day into the dark where the jewels glow.” Refusal of the Call: “The adventure may begin as a mere blunder, as did that of the princess of the fairy tale; or still again, one may be only casually strolling, when some passing phenomenon catches the wandering eye and lures one away from the frequented paths of man.” Supernatural Aid: “One has only to know and trust, and the ageless guardians will appear.” The Crossing of the First Threshold: “The usual person is more than content, he is even proud, to remain within the indicated bounds, and popular belief gives him every reason to fear so much as the first step into the...
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...Joseph Campbell, a famous author, mythologist, and most notable for his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. During the mid 1900’s, Campbell studied the heroic ideology throughout the world and time. Campbell realized similarities of the heroic journeys between the different cultures and time periods. Even though all heroic stories are different, they all have common patterns of their journey. He wrote his discovery in the book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. To summarize the heroic journey, Campbell wrote in his book, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: The hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man” (23). Campbell found that in all heroic journey’s, a hero must follow six steps in order to become a hero: call to adventure, refusal of the call, supernatural aid, crossing the threshold, belly of the whale, and the return. In the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare emulates the ideology of Joseph Campbell’s mythological hero through Hamlet. Through the ghost, Hamlet’s intelligence, and Hamlet’s violence, he demonstrates all Joseph Campbell's Heroic Journey steps in order to become a hero. The first two step of the heroic journey are the call to adventure and the supernatural aid. The call to adventure starts the hero’s journey. The hero begins in a state of normality until some information is given to the them, usually...
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...A Hero’s Journey: Hamlet and Simba What images come to mind as you reflect on your childhood? Playgrounds, blackboards, and soccer balls may be among the warmest of memories. Yet for many mermaids swim their thoughts, princesses get swept of their feet, and lions roar to their loyal place in the animal kingdom. There is no doubt that today’s entertainment has most of its touch using classical influences. Walt Disney has produced animated films that have captured the heart and imagination of audiences of all ages around the world through the magic of storytelling and imagery. Many of us appreciate the imagination and magic that Disney puts into its animations with out knowing they are based off of classical and traditional storylines that have been around for many years. For example the Disney movie The Lion King that is based off of the classical Shakespeare play Hamlet. The Lion King is possibly the most well known movie of the Disney collection that portrays a strong moral to its viewers. The journey that is taken by the characters in this movie is one from innocence to experience through confronting challenging situations. Just how Disney uses magic and imagination to capture its audience William Shakespeare also captured the hearts of people everywhere through the representation of emotions and feeling in his plays. Hamlet is without a question one of the most famous play in English literature. Through Hamlet Shakespeare shows a brilliant depiction of the hero’s struggle...
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...The Hero Without A Face Our world has given us a thousand forms of archetypical heros, from Greek mythological characters such as Hercules, to modern day characters such as Superman. All of these heros were given a path that they must follow in order to discover their ultimate destiny and become a hero. Joseph Campbell book, “A Hero With A Thousand Faces” has best explained the important stages that every hero needs to go by in order for fulfill their destiny, “ A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won" (Campbell 1). It is in this storyline that most storytellers need to go by in order to create the most closely related idea of a hero. Even though some heros do not follow these stages and their journey becomes more complex in relation to society, Shakespeare’s character Hamlet, seems to be the most hard to understand. Shakespeare created Hamlet as a hero who corrupts the archetype so much that the basic stages of his heroic journey must be changed in order to recognize him as a hero. Aristotle defined a hero as “a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle”. Aristotle simply states that the hero's downfall is usually cause by his own fault. Usually the hero’s death is seen as a waste of human potential but usually results in greater knowledge and awareness for whoever hears of the hero’s story...
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...The story of the hero's journey has been told and retold in oral and literary traditions for centuries. The hero motif captures the strength and perseverance of the human spirit of men and women so elegantly that it has not been bound by either cultural or religious tradition (J. Campbell, 1949). I believe Steve’s story is very inspiring to everyone. His story shows us that we must believe in ourselves. This story has touched me and many people can learn from it. I believe that the counselor has learned many things from Steve’s story. The first thing the counselor learned from Steve, is that believing in yourself is the strongest belief out there, therefore; no one can change you or what you believe in. The counselor also learned that some people have a lot of hope. When people have a lot of hope they can do anything. Another thing she learned was that setting small goals is the best thing a person can do. At first, it may be hard and take some extra time, but you can achieve what ever you want, like Steve did. Some of the counselor’s behaviors that may change a result of working with Steve are: first, the counselor may doubt Steve, like the doctors did and tell him to give up. Steve did not like that at all. Also, another thing that may change a result of working with Steve may be if the counselor treated him like he is abnormal. The last result that would change the relationship between Steve and the counselor are if the counselor did not have any faith in Steve. I...
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...The Hero’s Journey James Shin The Hero’s Journey, or the Monomyth, is a simple universal pattern that contains many elements found in mythical adventures The Hero’s Journey can be found in many books or movies, but each story can still maintain originality. In every Journey, the hero of the story must travel to and conquer a strange new world while he himself undergoes fundamental transformation. Orson Scott Card’s novel Ender’s Game showcases aspects to the Journey of the Hero because Ender leaves his home on Earth, overcomes Battle School, and emerges from the war a hero to the people on Earth. Before Ender arrives to Battle School, Colonel Graff is a guide that assists Ender by initiating the journey, who then overcomes his first challenge...
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...Many legends and stories have been told, with a hero being the main character, and each time the story seems to be following some sort of a pattern, a pattern that guides all the stories ever told. Essentially, there is just one hero story, with many variations of it – different characters and different problems but basically the same plot. Joseph Campbell discovered this, and gave the pattern a name, the 12 Stages of a Hero’s Journey. Many stories fit into these 12 stages, like The Emperor’s New Groove, for example. Kuzco is the hero in this case, and successfully goes through all 12 stages of a hero’s Journey. Stage 1 At the very start of the hero’s grand journey, he is initially introduced in his usual, common, everyday life - there is nothing out of the ordinary for the hero. Then he is suddenly forced into an unknown environment for the purpose of establishing a huge difference between the hero’s regular life and the new one (Vogler). In the very beginning we see Kuzco, an emperor living in wealth and luxury, and his own palace is shaped like his face (The Emporer’s) He is mean, not giving the people of his country what they ask for. He is selfish, only thinking of himself when he demands people around. And he is rude, not being polite when he should be and is just all around mean. Kuzco likes his high-profile, powerful life, where he can do and say anything he wants. However, his life is soon about to change. No longer will he be the Emperor, but instead something more...
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...Joseph Campbell has come to the conclusion that all heroes reflect off of the same path.He has come up with “The Hero's Journey”. He believes that all hero's journeys reflect off that chart. His work covers many aspects of the human experience. He was also a mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology, and comparative religion. I may not be a hero, but I have gotten stronger, and more outgoing, since my grandmother has passed away.And I learned to deal with it. With the help of God and my Mom. Since she passed it's made me realize a lot of things I didn't in my ordinary world. I have overcome some really difficult obstacles since my grandmother died to become the person I am today, because both our journeys...
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...Joseph Campbell is a genius, for years he studied ancient mythology. Joseph also made the monomyth also known as The Hero’s Journey.The Hero’s Journey is the adventure the hero’s take, but in steps.The hero’s journey helps the reader understand what the hero is going through to get to his/her treasure. How is my life’s story like Joseph Campbell’s hero journey? My journey overcoming my fear of rollercoasters is similar to Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey because I had left my ordinary world, had a refusal to call, and got a reward. Although, I had left my ordinary world, and went to a theme park. I had been going to theme parks my whole life, but I was nervous to ride one of the biggest ones at the park. My refusal to call was when my parents...
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...Dear Ellen, As your lifelong friend, I was thrilled when you wrote me requesting my services as a life coach. Let me first explain what I will do for and with you as your life coach; I will not only continue to be your best friend as I have been for the past 30 years, but I will now also become your mentor and coach who will guide you on the journey we are about to undertake together. I realize that most of the problems that you have today are a direct result of being sheltered by your parents, more your mom after your parents divorced, as a result of your congenital heart condition. Together, as a team, we will find ways for you to find strength to come out of your shell and flourish. The journey that we are going to embark on together as a team called the “Hero’s Journey”. I can compare it to the Fireproof (Catt & Kendrick, 2008) journey for couples. Remember going to see that movie together? Remember how Kirk Cameron got his wife back in the end with hard work? Your “Hero’s Journey” is not going to be easy by any means, but with hard work, diligence and perseverance, together we are going to turn you into the beautiful woman, both inside and out, that you always wanted to be! As your new life coach, I hope to give you the focus, clarity, and self-confidence that many life coaches have given to others (Personal Coaching, 2003). The program that my company uses is taken from Joseph Campbell’s (2008) The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Your journey will be one...
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...Greek civilization is credited with giving the world the method for today’s popular movies and books. This formula is in Suzanne Collin’s novel “The Hunger Games,” the story of Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District Twelve in post-apocalyptic earth, who faces many trials and terrors when she is sent to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The formula, also known as The Hero’s Journey, is seen all throughout this story. The method begins with ‘The Call,’ or when something calls the main character to make the journey or quest that he or she is about to go on. In this novel, Katniss, who possesses a great ability to hunt, is called when representatives from the capitol of her world come to her district for the annual reaping, or when two people are chosen from each district to participate as ‘tributes’ in the Hunger Games. Things seem to go as normal, but when Katniss’s younger sister Prim is chosen; she does something that had never been done before and volunteers herself to go in her sister’s place. She is chosen to go alongside the son of District Twelve’s bakers, Peeta Mellark. After the reaping, she and Peeta are sent to the capitol, where they are prepared to face the capitol, and then the Hunger Games. Katniss then goes into the phase of the formula called ‘The Preperation.’ She and Peeta are both given Prep Teams who dress them up to help them get sponsors. After going through various steps of preparation, Katniss and Peeta are finally sent to the arena where...
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...Exploring the Elements of a Hero’s Journey in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit In most stories there are a sequence of events that take place from start to finish that help as unspoken guidelines. These guidelines help give shape to many fairy tales and heros adventures that are found in stories from all time lines and geographical walks of life. Once the reader becomes aware of what these events are and how to look for them it becomes easy to spot these patterns and examples in films, literature, theatrical productions, etc. The goal of this paper is to familiarize the reader with a few different authors concepts and criteria that commonly occur in a vast majority of stories that contain any sort of adventurer or hero-type figure. In the case of J.R.R. Tolkien’s tale of The Hobbit, when broken down and analyzed using concepts from Joseph Campbell, and occasionally Marie von Franz, and Vladimir Propp, the reader may use their concept to read the book with insight and clarity that opens up a whole new way of looking at the hobbits adventure and the journey he partakes in. After one has a knowledge of the sequence of events that help to make up an adventure story it is hard to look at many books and films you’ve already seen in the same way. My hopes is that by the end of this, you will see The Hobbit in a new light. The Hobbit embodies significant aspects of the “hero’s journey” and the exploration of these using different authors works helps the reader to understand the analyzation...
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