This presentation explains the structure of a hero's journey explained in Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces, using examples from popular films.

1. Joseph Campbell’s
Hero with a Thousand Faces
Originally published in 1949
The definitive structure of a hero’s journey
as can be seen in The Iliad,
The Odyssey, Beowulf, Star Wars,
The Matrix, and other “hero” storylines

2. Part I: Departure
• Home Culture: The protagonist must have a “home,” a place which
he/she believes is normal and familiar.
Nemo’s dad feels comfortable at home with him
and is used to that environment.

3. Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
• Call to Adventure: Something happens which
requires the protagonist to feel a restlessness
with the constraints of his/her life or find a
new place he/she did not know existed.
Harry gets a letter from Hogwarts.

4. Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
• Refusal of the Call: The hero initially refuses
to accept a new life/journey. Often another
character will encourage this refusal.
Bob (Mr. Incredible) cannot go back to his superhero life because Helen does
not want him to and he doesn’t want to disappoint her.

5. Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
• Supernatural Aid: Protagonist is provided
with some assistance from a supernatural or
guiding character (or item).
Merlin guides Arthur to help him accomplish his goals.

6. Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
• Crossing the First Threshold: Protagonist is
confronted with an obstacle that he/she must
overcome which begins the journey.
When Uncle Ben dies, Peter must accept his journey as a hero.

7. Part I: Departure (Cont’d.)
• The Belly of the Whale: Protagonist
encounters a situation which he/she does not
think he/she can overcome.
Pinocchio is literally devoured by a whale and doesn’t think he will get out.

8. Part II: Initiation
• Road of Trials: Protagonist is tested and
learns about him/herself . Protagonist does
not always have to face these trials alone.
Harry Potter has to deal with many trials, including the deaths of friends.

9. Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
• Meeting with the Goddess/Mother Figure:
Protagonist meets with an ideal (in some
modern movies, this figure is represented by a
romantic soul mate).
Pinocchio is visited by the Blue Fairy, who guides him as an ideal female figure.

10. Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
• Atonement with the Father: Protagonist
learns to deal with his/her role as a leader
and/or hero and his/her new purpose in life.
When Neo is able to rescue Morpheus, he must recognize that he is “The One.”

11. Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
• Temptation from the True Path: Protagonist
is tempted to depart from the purpose of his
journey.
Dorothy was tempted off the true path by the field of poppies.

12. Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
• Apotheosis: Protagonist fully accepts his
status as a hero and achieves a “god-like”
status through his accomplishments.
When Peter starts acting as a hero, he accepts his status as Spider-man.

13. Part II: Initiation (Cont’d.)
• The Ultimate Boon: Protagonist can see the
effects of his actions on both him/herself and
others and is able to accomplish his/her final
goal. This is often done in a “final battle”
sequence.
Dorothy melts the witch, which helps both her and others
(and ultimately allows her to go home).

14. Part III: Return
• Refusal of the Return: The hero’s journey
should be over, but the protagonist is
prevented in some way from returning home.
This is often because the hero is isolated from
others.
Bruce could choose to get rid of his Batman alter ego to be with Rachel, but he doesn’t.

15. Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
• The Chase/Magic Flight: The protagonist flees
toward safety to take (or take back)
treasure, power, or wisdom.
Peter Pan takes Wendy, John, and Michael home on a truly magical flight on a
pirate ship. You can take the same magic flight at Disney World!

16. Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
• The Rescue from Without: Protagonist is
unable to return home without the help of
others/objects.
Dorothy needs the ruby slippers in order to return home.

17. Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
• Crossing the Return Threshold: Protagonist
must face an evil force and overcome a final
trial in order to prove him/herself and be
accepted by those at home.
Harry Potter must fight Voldemort in order for his world to return to normal.

18. Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
• Master of Two Worlds: Protagonist finally has
the power to feel comfortable and survive
both in his/her home world and the outside
world.
The Incredibles are happy as superheroes or in their family life.

19. Part III: Return (Cont’d.)
• Freedom to Live: Protagonist no longer fears
change and looks forward to the future
regardless of the circumstances.
Arthur becomes king and looks forward to the future as king.

20. Common Mythical Elements
• Two Worlds: The hero experiences life in two
worlds, the “mundane” (home) world and the
“special” (adventure) world.
Life as Superman and as Clark Kent.

21. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• The Mentor: The character who helps the
hero to understand the importance of his/her
journey.
Dumbledore helps Harry Potter understand his mission.

22. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• The Oracle: The character who tells the hero
the future of his/her journey and/or warns the
hero about something.
The Oracle tells Neo that he has already made his choices,
but he will have to grow to understand them.

23. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• The Prophecy: A promise is made about the
hero’s future accomplishments (frequently the
Oracle makes this prophecy).
“One ring to rule them all…”

24. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• Failed Hero: Protagonist is confronted with a
character who once failed at something
he/she attempts.
Perseus is confronted with the stone figures of those who
tried to escape Medusa before he entered her lair.

25. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• Wearing Enemy’s Skin: Protagonist must
disguise him/herself as someone acceptable
to the enemy in order to accomplish his/her
goal.
Harry and Ron drink the polyjuice potion to pretend to be Crabbe and Goyle.

26. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• Shapeshifter: A character who initially
appears to be both good and bad. The hero
does not know whether he/she can trust this
character.
At first, Aladdin does not know whether to trust the Genie
because he does not know if he has his best interests at heart.

27. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• Animal Familiar: A nonhuman character who
aids the hero in his/her journey.
Hercules’ animal familiar is Pegasus.

28. Common Mythical Elements (Cont’d.)
• Chasing the Lone Animal into the Woods: This
represents the time at which the hero chases
something that appears magical or different. Usually
the “animal” gets away but chasing it leads the hero
to something new.
Alice follows the white rabbit, who initially gets away (but leads her to Wonderland).