Joseph Campbell is a mythologist who studied mythologies in a different method than did others. Instead of studying by contrasting how they were different, he compared how they were the same. This led to the development of the heros journey. It is used both by authors to direct their plots, and by individuals to direct their lives.
Though this system is a story structure, and a plotting element, it is much more than that. It is a great writing tool, but it is also used as a road map for a self-development journey. Though this is realized in the psychological field as a means of self-development, it is also a great way to use the same development principles to portray a protagonist to help them become real to the reader.
One of the steps for this journey is that of departure. The character, or the individual if it is not a story, is called to depart to the unknown. They leave the comfort of their familiar life and venture out, to a great adventure in the case of the story, or to what to a person is somewhat of an adventure because they are not sure of what the future holds.
Once the hero has departed to the unknown, he faces all the trials and catastrophes facing him, such as monsters and other dangers. His skill and ability to deal with conflict is tested. Though he may not always triumph over it all, and really will not, he will persevere in spite of whatever he faces.
During the stage named return, the hero must return home, no longer the same person. The trials he has withstood have matured him. He has a goal to achieve, and is now a mature person. This stage involves growth of the character as he matures. This is the ultimate goal of a story character, this change.
This journey can be related to the drama of a story. The departure stage is the same as the thesis. This is the world as it currently is for the protagonist. The antithesis is when the character faces opposing forces, and the antagonist. The synthesis stage is when the hero has accomplished, or not, all he sets out to do, and goes home to try and combine the old world and the new one.
The three stages in the journey translates to ten steps. These are include: Step 1-The Ordinary World; Step 2-The Call to Adventure; Step 3-Cross the First Threshold (point of no return); Step 4-Trials, Friends, and Foes; Step 5-Magical Mentor (or the Mentor with Supernatural Aid); Step 6-Dragon's Lair; Step 7-Moment of Despair; Step 8-Ultimate Treasure; Step 9-Homeward Bound; Step 10-Rebirth & The Champion's Return.
The steps all fit into the three stages. These can both be seen in a person's personal development strategies, too. Characters can get stuck in a particular step, not maturing but becoming static. This often happens with characters that remain the same in a series, such as a TV series. A person's personal development can also become static, with no maturity happening. Several books by various authors have addressed these issues, but the brief outline here guiding the writing of plot can show the whole process briefly.
Though this system is a story structure, and a plotting element, it is much more than that. It is a great writing tool, but it is also used as a road map for a self-development journey. Though this is realized in the psychological field as a means of self-development, it is also a great way to use the same development principles to portray a protagonist to help them become real to the reader.
One of the steps for this journey is that of departure. The character, or the individual if it is not a story, is called to depart to the unknown. They leave the comfort of their familiar life and venture out, to a great adventure in the case of the story, or to what to a person is somewhat of an adventure because they are not sure of what the future holds.
Once the hero has departed to the unknown, he faces all the trials and catastrophes facing him, such as monsters and other dangers. His skill and ability to deal with conflict is tested. Though he may not always triumph over it all, and really will not, he will persevere in spite of whatever he faces.
During the stage named return, the hero must return home, no longer the same person. The trials he has withstood have matured him. He has a goal to achieve, and is now a mature person. This stage involves growth of the character as he matures. This is the ultimate goal of a story character, this change.
This journey can be related to the drama of a story. The departure stage is the same as the thesis. This is the world as it currently is for the protagonist. The antithesis is when the character faces opposing forces, and the antagonist. The synthesis stage is when the hero has accomplished, or not, all he sets out to do, and goes home to try and combine the old world and the new one.
The three stages in the journey translates to ten steps. These are include: Step 1-The Ordinary World; Step 2-The Call to Adventure; Step 3-Cross the First Threshold (point of no return); Step 4-Trials, Friends, and Foes; Step 5-Magical Mentor (or the Mentor with Supernatural Aid); Step 6-Dragon's Lair; Step 7-Moment of Despair; Step 8-Ultimate Treasure; Step 9-Homeward Bound; Step 10-Rebirth & The Champion's Return.
The steps all fit into the three stages. These can both be seen in a person's personal development strategies, too. Characters can get stuck in a particular step, not maturing but becoming static. This often happens with characters that remain the same in a series, such as a TV series. A person's personal development can also become static, with no maturity happening. Several books by various authors have addressed these issues, but the brief outline here guiding the writing of plot can show the whole process briefly.
About the Author:
When you are searching for information about The Heros Journey, come to our web pages today. More details are available at http://www.whimsybutwise.com now.