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The Hero's Journey

 Joseph Campbell And the Hero's Journey

The Hero's Journey is a concept that novelists and filmmakers have used for decades, but few know its origin. Joseph Campbell first developed it in his 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. This blog post will discuss the specifics of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey and how those ideas can help writers create better stories. We will also discuss the differences between using the Hero's Journey in movies and literature. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of the Hero's Journey and how to use the ideas to craft compelling stories.

What is The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell is one of the most influential thinkers in history, and his work has dramatically impacted the world of storytelling. Campbell was born in the late 1800s, and during his lifetime, he wrote extensively on mythology and the hero's journey. The hero's journey is a popular model used to explain how creators structure stories and how they can be adaptable to different cultures and audiences. This article will look at the definition of the hero's journey, its elements, and why it matters.

First, let's define what a hero is. A hero faces danger or challenges head-on to achieve something important or valuable. This could be anything from saving a loved one to victory in battle. The critical element of heroes is that they are ordinary people who overcome extraordinary obstacles to achieve their goals.

 Next, look at each element of the hero's journey individually. The first stage is initiation or departure, where the hero leaves their everyday life behind and embarks on an adventure. This could be as simple as leaving home for college or leaving your job for a new opportunity. During this stage, heroes must face challenges and tests that will help them learn about themselves and gain skills necessary for their future adventures.

The second stage is called the Challenge or Ordeal, where heroes face complex challenges that test their strength and courage. These challenges may include physical trials, such as fighting villains or navigating dangerous terrain, and psychological difficulties, such as overcoming fear or doubt. Through these experiences, heroes learn about themselves while acquiring new skill sets, such as strategy or diplomacy, that will help them on future quests.

After completing the challenge or ordeal stage, heroes typically reach the third stage, known as revelation or redemption, where they learn something valuable about themselves (or others), which helps them achieve their final goal. This might include discovering forgotten aspects of themselves, such as bravery or wisdom; defeating an enemy; rescuing someone from peril; etc. It is also common for characters along the way to teach lessons that further develop character traits, often culminating in the fourth stage, known as climax or fulfillment, where the hero puts all previously learned lessons into practice.

Applying The Structure To Novel Writing

Joseph Campbell was a seminal figure in the world of mythology and literature. However, he is best known for his work on the hero's journey, which he developed over many years of study and reflection. This framework has become popular among writers and may guide the artist in telling any story. In this section, we will explore the concepts behind the hero's journey and how you can use them to structure your story.

First, it's essential to understand that the hero's journey is not a specific genre but can be a guide to the artist as they plan their story. However, certain elements are common to all stories that follow the hero's journey structure. These include initiation (the moment when your character crosses over from being an ordinary person into an extraordinary one), crossing the threshold (the point at which your character enters a new realm or situation), ordeal (a test or challenge that your character must overcome), and return (the moment when your character finally returns home or faces their final challenge).

However, simply following these steps isn't enough – you need to go further if you want your novel to stand out. To do this, you should incorporate inner and outer journeys into your story. Inner journeys involve exploring various aspects of yourself and how you relate to others and situations throughout your tale. Outer journeys take place outside of your comfort zone and explore different parts of the world or yourself psychologically. Combining these two types of journeys will create a richer and more complex narrative experience for readers.

In Short

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey is an influential framework used in storytelling for decades. It consists of three main stages: initiation, testing, and climax. These stages involve the protagonist facing complex challenges and learning valuable lessons. The Hero's Journey can be applied to both novel writing and filmmaking, although there are variations between the two, such as inner and outer journeys in the literature compared to physical tests in movies. By understanding how this framework works, writers can craft compelling stories that captivate audiences worldwide.


Research aided by AI.

 

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