THE CHALLENGE OF
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
WARM-UP:
Define stereotype. Think about the
culture here at Strayer and list 4-5
stereotypes that you see exist. Record
these in your spiral notebook.
THE CHALLENGE OF
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Stereotypes found at
Strayer:
1. Jocks
2.
3.
4.
THE CHALLENGE OF
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Now define “archetype.”
THE CHALLENGE OF
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
An archetype is a character, symbol, story
pattern, or other element that is common to
human experience across cultures. It is
something seen in literature for thousands
of years, regardless of area, culture, or
language.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE
HERO’S JOURNEY
Examples of archetypes:
underdog
hero
damsel in distress
stepmother
fairy godmother
trickster
scapegoat
happy ending
villain
giant monster
THE CHALLENGE OF THE
HERO’S JOURNEY
•According to Joseph Campbell, a hero’s journey
is archetypal because all heroes’ journeys
follow a similar pattern.
•Campbell describes the journey in three stages
with various steps in each stage.
•Campbell’s journey can be applied to many
heroes in movies/books with which you are
familiar.
3 Stages of Hero’s
Journey:
Stage 1 = Departure
Stage 2 = Initiation
Stage 3 = Return
Stage 1 = Departure
Step
In my own words…
The Call to Adventure
An ordinary person finds out
that his/her life is about to
change.
Refusal of the Call
He/she refuses to accept the
adventure.
The Beginning of the
Adventure
The hero’s adventure begins in
his/her new role.
Stage 2 = Initiation
Steps
In my own words…
The Road of Trials
The hero is faced with
challenges and tests as the
hero makes the
transformation.
The Experience with
Unconditional Love
The hero has the love and
support from a friend, mentor
or family member. It helps the
hero survive the journey.
The Ultimate Boon
The hero’s training is
complete; the hero tackles the
biggest challenge.
Stage 3 = Return
Refusal of the Return
After the goal has been accomplished, the
hero may refuse to return with the gift
either because he doesn’t think anything
will change or the hero wants to stay
where he is (in a better place).
The Magic Flight
The hero experiences adventure/danger as
he returns to life before his adventure.
Rescue from Without
The hero needs guides and rescuers to
bring him back to everyday life, especially if
the hero has been wounded or weakened.
The Crossing, or Return Threshold:
The hero must remember and integrate his
newly-found wisdom into his previous life
and figure out how to share this wisdom
with the rest of the world.
Task: with your neighbor(s),
please complete the
“Notes/Examples” column on
pages 27 – 29 of SB charting
Homer’s archetypal hero’s
journey.
OCTOBER SKY:
Homer’s Departure
The Call to Adventure
Homer watches Sputnik and is
inspired
Refusal of the Call
Homer hesitates because his family is
not supportive
The Beginning of the Adventure
Homer and his friends begin to build
rockets
OCTOBER SKY:
Homer’s Initiation
The Road of Trials
Meeting Quentin (nerd)
Getting information and
supplies
Lack of support from friends
and family
Failed launches (fence)
The Experience with
Unconditional Love
Miss. Riley
Mom
The Ultimate Boon
First successful launch
OCTOBER SKY:
Homer’s Return
Refusal of the Return
Drops out of school
Goes to work in the mine
The Magic Flight
Working in the mines
Being arrested
Rescue From Without
Quentin and Homer proving
We didn’t start the fire.
Mom sending help for Science
Fair
The Crossing , or Return
Threshold
Won the award
Dad coming to the launch
THE CHALLENGE OF
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
TASK:
•Select a hero. Work with a group or
partnership to map and record this
hero’s journey. Fill these steps in
your SpringBoard text. BE PREPARED
to share with the rest of the class.
Warm - Up
Select an archetype that you are familiar
with or that was discussed in class
yesterday. In your spiral notebook
describe the archetype and list three
books, movies, stories, poems, etc.. that
represent the archetype you selected.
You may not choose the “hero”
archetype.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
Which indicates the order of the stages that a hero goes through
in his/her journey as described by Joseph Campbell?
A. Initiation, Return, Departure
B. Departure, Return, Initiation
C. Departure, Initiation, Return
D.Initiation, Departure, Return
Which of the following is NOT TRUE about an
archetype?
A. It is typically a character, symbol, or element of a
story.
B. It is a judgment that is made based on someone’s
characteristics.
C. It can be understood across cultures.
D. It can be understood across generations by both
young and old.