Hero's Journey Springboard Unit 1 8th Grade

The Archetype of the Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell wrote a famous book entitled "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." He found many common patterns running through hero myths and stories from around the world. He calls this common structure “the monomyth.” George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, claims that Campbell’s monomyth was the inspiration for his groundbreaking films.

Multiple Choice

Who created the structure for the Hero's Journey?

• George Lucas

• Joseph Campbell

• Mr. Meyers

• Darth Vader

Multiple Choice

Why is Campbell's book called "A Hero with a Thousand Faces?"

• The Hero literally has 1,000 faces.

• We all wear different emotions. Campbell called these emotion "faces."

• Heroes throughout the history of literature have followed a similar pattern. Each hero is the same, just with a different face.

Open Ended

Describe an experience or moment when you felt more like an adult. (Example: My mom let me go shopping at the mall with my friends while she stayed at home).

The Ordinary World

Heroes exist in a world that is considered uneventful. They may feel out-of-place or strange because of a talent or characteristic they posses.

The Call to Adventure

Heroes must be removed from their typical environment. Most heroes show a reluctance to leave their home and their life to journey on a quest. Usually there is a discovery, some event, or some danger that starts them on the heroic path. 

Refusal of the Call

Our Hero is faced with a choice: accept the quest or deny it.  A refusal of the quest only brings trouble.

The Beginning of the Adventure

Once the adventure is accepted, the heroes advance into the next stage of their journey. It's on!

Multiple Choice

What normally happens when the hero refuses to go on the adventure?

• Nothing. The hero later decides to go on the journey on their own time.

• Bad things happen usually to families or people that are close with the hero.

Multiple Select

Which phrase best describes Stage 1 of the Hero's Journey

• chillin' at home

• the end of the adventure

• beast mode

• leaving home for the unknown

Bonus Round!

• Guide Mentor

• Talismen introduced

• Companions

• Threshold Guardians

Open Ended

Think about person who made an impact on your life. It could be someone that taught you how to play defense in basketball or someone who has inspired you to do your best. What is/was their name?

The Road of Trials

The hero experiences and is transformed by a series of tests, tasks, or challenges. The hero usually fails one or more of these tests, which often occur in threes.

The Experience with Unconditional Love

Every hero needs a helper, much like every superhero needs a sidekick. Without the assistance of their companions and helpers along the way, most heroes would fail miserably

The Ultimate Boon

The goal of the quest is achieved. The boon can be a physical object or an intangible item such as knowledge, courage, or love. 

Multiple Select

What is the name of the event that deals with the hero experiencing difficult times that will make them stronger for a later conflict or battle?

• The Road of Trials

• The Experience with unconditional Love

• The Ultimate Boon

• The Journal of the Whills

Fill in the Blank

Fill in the blank. Getting the Death Star plans into the hands of the Rebel leaders was an example of "The (blank) Boon"

Bonus information!

• Ritual Death/Dismemberment

• Unconditional Love

• Someone may be captured, kidnapped or have gone missing

Open Ended

What is a challenge you have overcome (it can big or small)? Example: It took me a long time to tie my own shoes OR I am proud that I grew 5 points on my last MAP test.

Refusal of the Return

When the goal of the adventure is accomplished, the hero may refuse to return with the boon or gift, either because the hero doubts the return will bring change, or because the hero prefers to stay in a better place rather than return to a normal life of pain and trouble.

The Magic Flight

The hero experiences adventure and perhaps danger as he or she returns to life as it was before the Call to Adventure.

The Rescue from Without

Just as it looks as if the hero will not make it home with the boon, the hero is “rescued.” The rescuer is sometimes the same person who provided love or support throughout the journey.

The Crossing or Return Threshold

At this final point in the adventure, the hero must retain the wisdom gained on the quest, integrate that wisdom into his or her previous life, and how to share the wisdom with the rest of the world. The theme is usually revealed here.

Bonus Round

• Does the hero seem to master both (two) worlds?

• Can the hero now live "freely" without anxiety or pain? Are they at peace?

Multiple Choice

The description best describes which event in the Hero's Journey:

The final step in the hero's resolution, when the hero can rest for a moment. Theme is usually revealed here.

• Refusal of the Return

• The Crossing or Return Threshold

• The Call to Adventure

• The Ultimate Boon

Multiple Choice

The description best describes which event in the Hero's Journey:

A physical object or knowledge that helps the to achieve their goals and defeat the "evil."

• Refusal of the Return

• The Crossing or Return Threshold

• The Call to Adventure

• The Ultimate Boon

Multiple Select

Which event(s) take place in Stage 1: Departure (select all that apply)

• The Magic Flight

• The Call to Adventure

• The Beginning of the Adventure

• Refusal of the Call

Multiple Select

Which event(s) take place in Stage 2: Archetype (select all that apply)

• The Ultimate Boon

• The Experience with Unconditional Love

• The Crossing or Return Threshold

• The Road of Trials

Multiple Select

Which events take place in Stage 3: Return (select all that apply)

• The Magic Flight

• The Crossing or Return Threshold

• The Experience with unconditional Love

• Rescue from Without

Open Ended

What questions do you still have about The Archetype of the Hero's Journey?