A Hero’s JourneyA Hero’s Journey

What constitutes a journey?What constitutes a journey?

What are the stages of a What are the stages of a journey?journey?

The Pattern of Human The Pattern of Human ExperienceExperience

Review heroic traits and journeys as Review heroic traits and journeys as discussed Friday. (See your summaries)discussed Friday. (See your summaries)

Free Write: What is a journey you’ve been Free Write: What is a journey you’ve been on?on?

We see the idea of a journey reflected We see the idea of a journey reflected everywhere- comedies and tragedieseverywhere- comedies and tragedies

What was the end result of your journey?What was the end result of your journey? Did you undergo a change or transformation?Did you undergo a change or transformation? Did the “heroes” we discussed in class last time Did the “heroes” we discussed in class last time

also undergo a transformation, the old ways of also undergo a transformation, the old ways of thinking alteredthinking altered

What are the stages of this What are the stages of this pattern or archetype?pattern or archetype?

Archetype: a pattern found throughout Archetype: a pattern found throughout literatureliterature

The journey: a process of self-The journey: a process of self-discoverydiscovery

As we discuss, think of examples from As we discuss, think of examples from stories, movies, and your own life.stories, movies, and your own life.

Remember- although there are 8 Remember- although there are 8 steps, as individuals vary, so does the steps, as individuals vary, so does the individual journey.individual journey.

Section One: steps 1-2Section One: steps 1-2

Separation (from the known)Separation (from the known) The CallThe Call (an invitation/ an opportunity to face the (an invitation/ an opportunity to face the

unknown and gain something of physical or unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value)spiritual value) Do we always willingly accept “the Do we always willingly accept “the call”? What are some reasons we may receive “the call”? What are some reasons we may receive “the call”?call”?

The ThresholdThe Threshold (with guardians, helpers, and (with guardians, helpers, and mentor)mentor) (once called to the adventure we must (once called to the adventure we must pass over the “The Threshold”. This is a “jumping pass over the “The Threshold”. This is a “jumping off point” or the line crossed from the known world off point” or the line crossed from the known world to the unknown world. to the unknown world. What happens if we get to a What happens if we get to a threshold and we are unable to cross? Who or threshold and we are unable to cross? Who or what has stopped us from crossing? Do we always what has stopped us from crossing? Do we always initially know how to get through the threshold? initially know how to get through the threshold?

Section Two: steps 3-7Section Two: steps 3-7

Initiation and TransformationInitiation and Transformation The ChallengesThe Challenges The AbyssThe Abyss The TransformationThe Transformation The RevelationThe Revelation The AtonementThe Atonement

Challenges (step 3)Challenges (step 3)

Can be both physical or psychological (as is the Can be both physical or psychological (as is the nature of a journey: literal or figurative.)nature of a journey: literal or figurative.)

Also form of temptationsAlso form of temptations Early challenges tend to be relatively easy. By Early challenges tend to be relatively easy. By

meeting them successfully, we build maturity, skill, meeting them successfully, we build maturity, skill, confidence.confidence.

As the journey continues, the challenges escalate in As the journey continues, the challenges escalate in difficulty level. This forces us to change and grow.difficulty level. This forces us to change and grow.

One of our greatest tests is often to differentiate real One of our greatest tests is often to differentiate real helpers from helpers from TEMPTERSTEMPTERS. (pull us away, use fear, . (pull us away, use fear, doubt, or distraction, and pretend to be a friend/ doubt, or distraction, and pretend to be a friend/ helper)helper)

Into the AbyssInto the Abyss

The greatest challenge of the journey; so great The greatest challenge of the journey; so great that we must surrender ourselves completely that we must surrender ourselves completely to the adventure and become one with it.to the adventure and become one with it.

We face our greatest fear, and we must face it We face our greatest fear, and we must face it alone. alone.

This is where we “slay the dragon” This is where we “slay the dragon” If we fail, unless we set off to try again, our life If we fail, unless we set off to try again, our life

becomes a bitter shadow of what has been.becomes a bitter shadow of what has been.

Section Three: step 8Section Three: step 8

The Return (to the known world, but The Return (to the known world, but with a new…)with a new…) The Return (with a gift)The Return (with a gift)