History Main / TheHerosJourney

->''"Wallace, when my journey began, I was living in an ordinary world. [[{{Herald}} Ramona]] skated through my dreams, and it was like a CallToAdventure, [[RefusalOfTheCall a call I considered refusing]], but my [[TheObiWan mentor]], [[LampshadeHanging that's you]], told me if I want something bad enough, I have to fight for it! So I did, there were tests, allies, enemies. [[BellyOfTheWhale I approached a deep cave and went through a crazy ordeal, during which I totally seized the sword]]! [[TheHeroDies Sadly I died]], [[BackFromTheDead then I resurrected]]! Now I realize what I should've been fighting for all along, but before I do, I have to ask one final favor of you... [[ItMakesSenseInContext could you put a robe on]] [[{{Anticlimax}} and hand me the phone]]?"''

** One may meet their [[Main/TrueCompanions Hero Partners]] here and [[Main/SaveThePrincess rescue a]] DamselInDistress.
* '''The BellyOfTheWhale''' represents a symbolic death for the Hero: the Hero is defeated and killed, his flesh scattered, ready to be reborn and emerge as a new person. If you think the symbolic death ought to come later, don't worry: ''The Writer's Journey'' omits this step altogether in favor of a ''Resurrection'' step just before the end.
** Part of this step involves the Hero [[Main/MentorOccupationalHazard Losing the Guide]].

The pattern of the Hero's Journey can be found in shows ranging from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' to ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. George Lucas claims to have used it as a guide when writing ''StarWars''. Traditionally, the Hero's Journey was cyclic; a female Hero's Journey is more likely to be cyclic than a male's. ''Buffy The Vampire Slayer'' fits this to a tee; the movie is the first cycle, and each season roughly corresponds to one additional cycle. The game ''VideoGame/{{Journey}}'' intentionally fits this model exactly, even referring specific steps in the soundtrack's titles.

** Part of this step involves the Hero [[Main/MentorOccupationalHazard Losing The Guide]].

->''"Look at me. Stuck on this crappy planet; Aunt and Uncle got burned up like chicken cutlets. What are ya' gonna do? Me, personally? I'm gonna save the galaxy and make out with my sister."''
-->-- '''[[WebVideo/GloveAndBoots Johnny T]] as [[Franchise/StarWars Luke Skywalker]]''', ''[[https://youtu.be/yZxs_jGN7Pg?t=85 The Hero's Journey]]''

* Departure: the Hero leaves the familiar world behind.
* Initiation: the Hero learns to navigate the unfamiliar world of adventure.
* Return: the Hero returns to the familiar world.

-->-- '''[[Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld Scott Pilgrim]]'''

->''"Wallace, when my journey began, I was living in an ordinary world. [[{{Herald}} Ramona]] skated through my dreams, and it was like a CallToAdventure, [[RefusalOfTheCall a call I considered refusing]], but my [[TheObiWan mentor]], [[LampshadeHanging that's you]], told me if I want something bad enough, I have to fight for it! So I did, there were tests, allies, enemies. I approached a deep cave and went through a crazy ordeal, during which I totally seized the sword! [[BellyOfTheWhale Sadly I died]], then I resurrected! Now I realize what I should've been fighting for all along, but before I do, I have to ask one final favor of you... [[ItMakesSenseInContext could you put a robe on]] [[{{Anticlimax}} and hand me the phone]]?"''

->''"Wallace, when my journey began, I was living in an ordinary world. [[{{Herald}} Ramona]] skated through my dreams, and it was like a CallToAdventure, [[RefusalOfTheCall a call I considered refusing]], but my [[TheObiWan mentor]], [[LampshadeHanging that's you]], told me if I want something bad enough, I have to fight for it! So I did, there were tests, allies, enemies. I approached a deep cave and went through a crazy ordeal, during which I totally seized the sword! Sadly I died, then I resurrected! Now I realize what I should've been fighting for all along, but before I do, I have to ask one final favor of you... [[ItMakesSenseInContext could you put a robe on]] [[{{Anticlimax}} and hand me the phone]]?"''

* '''Begins in [[{{Muggles}} the ordinary world of the Hero's hometown]]''', often in one of two flavours:

** [[WellDoneSonGuy Atonement With the Father]]: GeorgeLucas loved this step. [[Theatre/OedipusRex Oedipus]] probably didn't. Variants include a final showdown with an ArchnemesisDad (sometimes still ending in atonement if DeathEqualsRedemption) and CallingTheOldManOut

** [[WellDoneSonGuy Atonement With the Father]]: GeorgeLucas loved this step. [[Theatre/OedipusRex Oedipus]] probably didn't.
** A LeaveYourQuestTest, usually after meeting the Goddess or Temptress

** Apotheosis: The Hero comes to view the world in a new and radically different way, either because of a critical breakthrough he's made or some crucial information he's uncovered. If it is something to do with himself then this is a good time for an IAmWho.
** The Hero confronts the BigBad in a typical DavidVersusGoliath fashion: He is usually called upon to sacrifice himself or something/someone important to him. FriendOrIdolDecision is a common scenario. Note that ''asked'' is the key word here--it's usually [[SweetAndSourGrapes enough that the Hero be willing to sacrifice something without actually having to do it]]. Someone else will sacrifice himself in the Hero's stead, or [[TakeAThirdOption the Hero will prove to have outwitted the Big Bad somehow]] (so that the apparent sacrifice isn't really a sacrifice), or it was all a SecretTestOfCharacter, or...
** Ultimate Boon: getting the reward the hero's been chasing all this time, often but not always a MacGuffin.

-->-- '''[[WebVideo/GloveAndBoots Johnny T]] as [[Franchise/StarWars Luke Skywalker]]''', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxs_jGN7Pg The Hero's Journey]]''

* The Hero may be [[SmallTownBoredom dissatisfied with the ordinary]] and express a desire for adventure. In musicals this can be expressed through an IWantSong.

* '''Road of Trials''': the path out of the Belly of the Whale. Usually the meat of the story; ''The Writer's Journey'' calls it ''Tests, Allies, Enemies'', while [[TheSevenBasicPlots Booker]] goes into detail on different types of tests (deadly terrain, monsters, temptations, deadly opposites, and a journey to the underworld). Stops along the way might include:

Compare Campbell's description of the journey with Booker's ''TheSevenBasicPlots'', especially the plots of ''Overcoming the Monster'', ''The Quest'', and ''Voyage and Return''. Like Campbell, Booker invests a lot of symbolism in the various elements, to the point where messing up the symbolism kills the story for him (for example, he calls ''StarWars'' flawed because they rescued the princess way before they killed the BigBad, when ideally those should happen at the same time, since the death of the Monster ''causes'' the release of the Anima).

-->-- '''Johnny T as [[Franchise/StarWars Luke Skywalker]]''', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxs_jGN7Pg The Hero's Journey]]''

* '''Crossing the Return Threshold'''. Sometimes a fight against the forces of the {{Muggle}} world, which the Hero wins thanks to help from his {{Muggle}} allies. This is where the PostClimaxConfrontation happens, as the remaining antagonistic forces have followed the Hero beyond the threshold and attacked him at a time when the plot should be wrapping up. In the absence of any action, it may be a BoringReturnTrip instead, a chance for the Hero to reflect on what he's gained and experienced through his journey.

* '''Crossing the Return Threshold'''. Sometimes a fight against the forces of the {{Muggle}} world, which the Hero wins thanks to help from his {{Muggle}} allies.

The pattern of the Hero's Journey can be found in shows ranging from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' to ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. George Lucas claims to have used it as a guide when writing ''StarWars''. Traditionally, the Hero's Journey was cyclic; a female Hero's Journey is more likely to be cyclic than a male's. ''Buffy The Vampire Slayer'' fits this to a tee; the movie is the first cycle, and each season roughly corresponds to one additional cycle. The ''VideoGame/{{Journey}}'' game intentionally fits this model exactly, even referring specific steps in the soundtrack's titles.

The concept of the Hero's Journey was described by mythologist Joseph Campbell in his book ''TheHeroWithAThousandFaces'' and refined by Christopher Vogler in his book ''The Writer's Journey''.

* '''[[WonderChild Miraculous]] or [[MysticalPregnancy unusual]] circumstances around the Hero's conception or birth]].''' Bonus points if there was a prophecy. Less common in modern stories, which tend to emphasize the role of personal choice in defining a hero, although there may still be a ProphecyTwist involved.

* '''[[WonderChild Miraculous or unusual circumstances around the Hero's conception or birth]].''' Bonus points if there was a prophecy. Less common in modern stories, which tend to emphasize the role of personal choice in defining a hero, although there may still be a ProphecyTwist involved.

* '''[[TheOutsideWorld The Land of Adventure:]]''' the Hero enters a strange, dreamlike realm, where logic is topsy-turvy and the "rules" are markedly different from the ordinary world. Carl Jung identified the Ordinary Realm with the conscious mind, and the Realm of Adventure with the subconscious mind.

* '''The Land of Adventure:''' the Hero enters a strange, dreamlike realm, where logic is topsy-turvy and the "rules" are markedly different from the ordinary world. Carl Jung identified the Ordinary Realm with the conscious mind, and the Realm of Adventure with the subconscious mind.

* The Hero may be dissatisfied with the ordinary and express a desire for adventure. In musicals this can be expressed through an IWantSong.

* '''[[WonderChild Miraculous or unusual circumstances around the Hero's conception or birth]].''' Bonus points if there was a prophecy. Less common in modern stories, which tend to emphasize that ''anyone'' could be TheChosenOne. It appears in ''Literature/HarryPotter'' and ''TheDresdenFiles'', though.

** JumpedAtTheCall, sometimes even in the face of AdventureRebuff: More common in modern stories. The modern subversion of this is when the hero is ResignedToTheCall. He accepts it, but only because he feels [[YouCantFightFate it would be pointless to resist]], and not because he's particularly happy about the thought of adventure.* If the hero finds himself abducted by destiny [[TheCallHasBadReception before even knowing what the Call is]] [[IgnorantOfTheCall or even that he was addressed]], then he may be a CosmicPlaything. Resigning one's self to fate becomes easier in these situations. Just like its enthusiastic counterpart, this version of the narrative is more common in modern tales than classic ones.