Higher: Creative Writing‘The Hero’s Journey’

Learning Intentions

To be able to recognise the character traits of the archetypes in ‘The Hero’s Journey’.

To be able to recognise the different types of heroes.

To be able to recognise the pattern of the hero’s journey or quest that is the basis of narrative.

The Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey can be broken down into three key stages:

Departure: the hero leaves the familiar world behind.

Initiation: the hero learns to navigate the unfamiliar world.

Return: the hero returns to the familiar world.

TH’sJ: Departure

I. Departure- The Call to Adventure- Refusal of the Call- Supernatural Aid- The Crossing of the First

Threshold- The Belly of the Whale

TH’sJ: Initiation

II. Initiation- The Road of Trials- The Meeting with the Goddess- Woman as the Temptress- Atonement with the Father- Apotheosis (climax)- The Ultimate Boon

TH’sJ:Return

III. Return- Refusal of the Return- The Magic Flight- Rescue from Without- The Crossing of the Return

Threshold- Master of the Two Worlds- Freedom to Live

Purple books

Write about:

A challenge you, or someone you know, has faced.

***Homework in the Higher in-tray***(Make sure your name is on it)

TYPES OF HEROHigher: The Hero’s Journey

Types of Hero

(Notes adapted from Vogler, 1999, pp. 41–44)Willing, active, gung-ho heroes:

◦Committed to the adventure◦Without doubts◦Always bravely going ahead◦Self-motivated

Types of HeroUnwilling heroes:

◦Full of doubts◦Hesitant◦Passive◦Need to be motivated or pushed into

the adventure by an outside force.◦Usually change at some point and

become committed to the adventure.

Types of HeroAnti-heroes:

◦Specialised kind of hero◦May be outlaws or villains from the

point of view of society◦Despite this, the audience is in

sympathy with them◦They may win in the end over

society’s corruption◦Rebels

Types of HeroTragic heroes:

◦Flawed heroes◦Never overcome their inner demons◦Brought down and destroyed by

inner demons◦May be charming◦Their flaw wins in the end

Types of HeroGroup-oriented heroes:

◦Are a part of society at the beginning◦Journey takes them to unknown land

far from home◦Separate from group – have lone

adventure in the wilderness away from the group

◦Eventually they re-join the group

Types of HeroLoner heroes:

◦Story begins with hero apart from society

◦Natural habitat is the wilderness◦Natural state is solitude◦Journey is one of re-entry into the

group, an adventure within the group, then a return to isolation

Recap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhk4N9A0oCA