The Hero's Journey

The Hero's Journey

By Amelia Artall

1. The Ordinary World

This is the hero's normal, everyday life. We get to know the hero as a person before they go on their journey to becoming a hero.

Open Ended

What is Nemo's ordinary world in Finding Nemo?

2. Call to Adventure

The hero's ordinary world is disrupted. The hero faces a new challenge (usually a dangerous one) which sets him/her underway on the quest.

Multiple Choice

Which of these would be an example of he start of a call to adventure?

• A character is going on a walk and it begins raining. The character doesn't have an umbrella.

• A character receives a phone call learning that his or her sibling is in danger.

• A character goes to school and gets detention for starting a food fight in the cafeteria.

3. Refusal of the Call

The character is having doubts about his or her ability to face the challenge. He or she may refuse at first or feel overwhelmed by the situation.

Multiple Select

Which of these movies show a "refusal to call" with a character?

• Shrek

• Spiderman

• Mulan

• Lion King

4. Meeting the Mentor

The hero meets someone who helps in some way. This person might give advice or help the hero feel more confident.

Edna mentors Mr. Incredible and the rest of the family by creating a house and costumes for them all, but also gives life advice when needed.

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​The Incredibles Example

Open Ended

What is another example of a movie where a character meets a mentor?

5. Crossing the Threshold

The hero now leaves his or her ordinary world and crosses the threshold into the unfamiliar adventure ahead.

Tiana crosses the threshold by leaving the human world and "jumping" into the frog world.

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​The Princess and the Frog

Example

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

The hero is facing some major obstacles and has to learn who can be trusted and who is an enemy. We also learn more about the hero's skillset.

Poll

What superpower would be the most fun to have?

• Ability to teleport

• Ability to read minds

• Super mega strength

• Invisibility

7. Approach

The character is nearing the height of the challenge. He or she needs to find courage in order to continue.

8. Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth

This is when the hero faces a life-or-death situation. The big question is: Will the hero survive?

Poll

Speaking of life or death situations, which of these extreme sports would you be willing to do?

• Bungee Jumping

• Skydiving

• Surfing

• Scuba Diving

• Bull Riding

9. Reward

The hero has defeated the enemy and escaped death (usually with some kind of reward). Rewards can include newfound knowledge/secrets, reconciliation, or an object which holds importance.

10. The Road Back

The hero must now make their way back to their ordinary world. Usually there is some kind of twist or new challenge.

One their way back from saving Princess Fiona, Donkey finds out Princess Fiona has been hiding a secret. She's an ogre, too!

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​Shrek

Example

11. Resurrection

This is the final test for the hero. This is often times the most dangerous challenge the hero will face.

12. Return with the Elixir

This is the final stage of the journey. The hero returns back to their ordinary world. The hero will have changed in some way.

Sully learns that humans aren't as scary as he thought. He becomes more compassionate and even ends up being friends with Boo.

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​Monster's Inc

Example