1. THE ORDINARY WORLD

(STATUS QUO)

Heroes exist in a world is considered ordinary or

uneventful by those who live there.

Often the heroes are considered odd by those in the

ordinary world and possess some ability or

characteristic that makes them feel out-of-place.

Sometimes, a

conflict in society

is presented.

Examples include:

The Wonderful Wizard

of Oz: Dorothy in

Kansas

The Hobbit: Bilbo

Baggins in Hobbiton

Star Wars: Luke

Skywalker on Tatooine The Lion King: Simba at Pride

Rock

2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE

Hero is asked to leave or is removed from their

typical environment.

Most heroes show a reluctance to leave their home,

their friends, and their life to journey on a quest. But in

the end they accept their destiny.

Usually there is a discovery, some event, or some

danger that starts them on the heroic path.

Examples include:

The Wonderful

Wizard of Oz: The

tornado

The Hobbit:

Gandalf the wizard

arrives

Star Wars:

R2D2’s cryptic

message

3. REFUSAL OF THE QUEST

During the Call to Adventure heroes are given a task

or quest which only they can complete. They are

faced with a

choice: accept

the quest or deny

it. Most are

afraid.

There are stories

where heroes do

NOT accept their

destinies. When

this happens, the stage is set for disaster. A refusal

of the quest only brings trouble.

Heroes who refuse their quest often become

characters in need of rescuing or the villain of

another hero’s journey.

Examples include:

Star Wars: Luke refuses the quest until he learns his

aunt and uncle are dead

The Lion King: Simba refuses to return to Pride Rock

and accept his destiny

Groundhog Day: Example of the negative cycle caused

by refusing the call

4. MENTORS/assistance

The hero encounters someone who offers advice

and prepares them for the journey ahead.

The mentor may also provide training or special

equipment.

Sometimes, the mentor is just someone who provides

unconditional love.

Examples

include:

Lord of the

Rings: Samwise

Gamgee

Spider Man:

Peter Parker

draws inspiration

from his Uncle

Ben, who was

killed

The Wizard of Oz: The Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow, and

Cowardly Lion

5. Crossing the Threshold /

DEPARTURE

The hero accepts the journey and enters the

special world.

Often, the special world is filled with supernatural

creatures, breathtaking sights, and the constant

threat of death.

Unlike the heroes’ home, this outside world has its

own rules, and they quickly learns to respect these

rules as their endurance and strength are tested.

Examples include:

The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy arrives in Oz and sets off on

the Yellow Brick Road

The Lord of the Rings: Frodo leaves Bag End and the

Shire and

enters

strange new

lands

The Lion

King: Simba

returns to the

Pride Lands

to face Scar

6. Tests / Trials

The hero progresses through a series of tests -

obstacles that make him/her stronger

The hero is preparing for a final showdown by

enduring numerous challenges or small battles

designed to make him/her stronger.

Alliances may come to an end in this phase, as

loyalty is questioned.

Examples include:

Star Wars: Luke fights his way to save Princess Leia

Spider Man: the Green Goblin forces Peter to choose

between Mary Jane (MJ) or the people in the air tram

The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy escapes flying monkeys and

a poisonous poppy field

7. Approach

At long last the

hero reaches

the Supreme

Ordeal, the

obstacle he/she

has journeyed

so far to

overcome.

All the heroes’

training and toil

comes into play

now.

The hero may suffer a temporary setback that

raises the stakes before the final showdown.

Examples include:

The Lion King: Scar kicks flaming embers into Simba's

eyes, starting a fight

The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy hits a setback when the

Wizard demands the Wicked Witch of the West's

broomstick

8. Ordeal / Crisis

The hero

confronts his

greatest fear in a

near-death

experience.

Ultimately, the goal

of the quest is

achieved, although

the journey is far

from over.

The ordeal is often

considered the climax of the story.

Examples include:

The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy is locked inside the room of

the witch's castle; when the hour glass runs out, she will

die. However, she is saved, and melts the Wicked Witch of

the West

The Lion King: Simba wins the fight against Scar and

throws his uncle into a pack of hungry hyenas

The Lord of the Rings: Gandolf sacrifices himself to

save the lives of those in the fellowship; Frodo destroys

the ring at Mount Doom

9. Reward / Treasure

The goal has

been

achieved.

Typically,

there is a

reward given

to heroes for

passing the

Supreme

Ordeal. It could be a kingdom. It could be the hand of

a beautiful princess. It could be the Holy Grail.

Whatever it is, it is a reward for the hero's endurance

and strength.

Examples include:

The Lord of the Rings: Frodo and Sam rekindle their

true friendship

The Lion King: Simba climbs Pride Rock and is restored

as the ruler of the animal kingdom

The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy's friends are rewarded by

the wizard with a heart, brain and bravery

10. Road Back / Return

The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary

world, often bringing the treasure home.

The hero has been changed by his journey - but it is

not over yet!

The road back may also be filled with trials or even

a high-speed/dangerous chase.

Examples include:

The Wizard of Oz: the Wizard reveals that he is not

magical but offers Dorothy a ride home in his hot air

balloon

The Lord of the

Rings: exhausted,

Frodo and Sam

are saved by

Gandolf's eagles

11. Atonement / New Life

The hero faces a final test - sometimes a test of

wisdom or loyalty - that requires him/her to draw

strength from everything he/she learned.

This is the last sacrifice: a metaphoric death and

rebirth for the hero

The conflict that was present at the beginning of the

story is typically resolved.

Examples include:

Spider Man: Peter Parker decides to let MJ go even

though he loves her

Star Wars: Luke Skywalker prepares to sacrifice

himself, rather than be taken by the Dark Side

12. Return / Resolution

The hero, now wiser, returns to his/her ordinary life.

He/she now has the power to transform the world, just

as he/she was transformed by the journey (in other

words, the

hero can

spread

change)

Examples

include:

The Lion King:

Simba and Nala

introduce their

son, the new heir to the throne, to the animal kingdom

Star Wars: Luke Skywalker becomes one with the Force

and is able to teach others

Lord of the Rings: the hobbits become leaders in the

Shire and Frodo chooses to go overseas with Gandolf