Hero's Journey

Open Ended

What stories, movies, or books come to mind when you think of a character going on a significant journey or adventure?

The Hero's Journey

Open Ended

Can you think of a time you felt you had a hero's journey?

​Lesson Objective

• Identify the stages of the Hero's Journey framework.

• Recognize key archetypal characters within the Hero's Journey.

• Apply the Hero's Journey stages to a specific literary work.

• Discuss how challenges shape a character's growth in the story.

• Explore how the Hero's Journey highlights universal themes and symbols.

• Compare the Hero's Journey across different stories for insights.

• Engage in class discussions about the Hero's Journey's role in narratives.

• Write a reflection on how the Hero's Journey enhances character and theme understanding.

Open Ended

In your own words, a hero is . . .

Open Ended

List 5 people who you think are heroes. Why?

Open Ended

Can a hero be flawed or make mistakes? Why or why not?

1. THE ORDINARY WORLD

Heroes exist in a world is considered ordinary or uneventful by those who live there. Often the heroes are considered odd by those in the ordinary world and possess some ability or characteristic that makes them feel out-of-place.

Open Ended

Think about your daily routine and the familiar environment you're in. What aspects of your ordinary life would you miss the most if you were suddenly called away on an adventure?

2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE

• Initial sense of normalcy and routine in the hero's life.

• Introduction of a compelling and often mysterious challenge or opportunity.

• The hero is presented with a call or invitation to embark on an adventure.

• The call may come from an external source, a person, a message, or an internal desire.

• The hero faces a choice: accept the call and venture into the unknown or resist and stay in the familiar world.

• Emotions and uncertainty often accompany this stage as the hero weighs the risks and rewards of the adventure.

• The call to adventure sets the story's central conflict in motion and propels the hero toward change and growth.

Open Ended

If you could receive a mysterious and enticing call to go on an adventure right now, what type of adventure would you hope for?

3. ENTERING THE UNKNOWN

Heroes enter a world they have never experienced before.

Often it is filled with supernatural creatures, breathtaking sights, and the constant threat of death.

This outside world has its own rules

Heroes quickly learns to respect these rules as their endurance, strength,

Tested time and time again..

4. MEETING THE MENTOR / SUPERNATURAL AID

• After accepting the call to adventure, the hero often encounters a wise and experienced mentor figure.

• The mentor can be a person, an object, or even an inner realization that provides guidance and support.

• The mentor imparts knowledge, wisdom, skills, or special tools that will aid the hero on their journey.

• This guidance helps the hero overcome obstacles and challenges they will face.

• The mentor may serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement.

• The mentor's role is crucial in helping the hero develop and grow as they prepare for the trials ahead.

• The mentor's presence symbolizes the hero's transition from their ordinary world to the special world of adventure.

 

Open Ended

Who is/was your mentor?

 5. ALLIES/HELPERS

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.

Poll

How many sidekicks do you have?

• 1

• 2

• 3+

• Nah, I am a loner

6. TESTS & THE SUPREME ORDEAL

• The Supreme Ordeal is the most significant and challenging test or conflict the hero faces on their journey.

• It often serves as the climax or turning point of the story.

• The hero confronts their deepest fears, weaknesses, or the main antagonist in a life-or-death struggle.

• This stage may require the hero to make a significant sacrifice or face a critical decision.

• Success in the Supreme Ordeal represents a transformation or growth in the hero's character or abilities.

• Failure can result in dire consequences for the hero or their mission.

• This stage is a critical moment of self-discovery and personal development for the hero.

• The outcome of the Supreme Ordeal often determines whether the hero can achieve their ultimate goal and complete their journey.



• Achievement or realization of the hero's goal.

• Represents growth and transformation.

• Valuable insight, object, or wisdom.

• Sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

• Symbolizes progress in the journey.

• Moment of reflection and rest.

​

• Begins the return to the ordinary world.

• May involve retracing steps or facing new challenges.

• Hero applies lessons and wisdom.

• Tests the hero's growth and resolve.

• Anticipation and urgency.

• Reinforces transformation.

• Sets the stage for the hero's return.

​7. Reward and Journey Home

8. MASTER OF TWO WORLDS/ RESTORING THE WORLD

Success on the heroes’ quest is life-changing, for them and often for many others. By achieving victory, they have changed or preserved their original world. Often they return with “the exilir,” an object or personal ability that allows them to save their world. The heroes have also grown in spirit and strength. They have proved themselves worthy for marriage, kingship, or queenship. Their mastery of the outside world qualifies them to be giants in their own.

Draw

Draw your adventure world

Multiple Choice

Who developed the theory of the journey of an archetypal hero?

• Mrs. Parker

• Grover

• Joseph Cambell

• William Shakespeare

Multiple Choice

Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, and Bilbo Baggins are who?

• The Ordinary World Citizens 

• Supernatural Aid

• The Loser

• The Hero

Multiple Choice

In which stage does the hero feel out of place because they possess an ability or characteristic that makes them different from others?

• The Ordinary World

• The Call to Adventure

• Entering the Unknown

• Supernatural Aid/ Meeting with the Mentor

Multiple Choice

In which stage does the hero start their quest due to a discovery, event, or danger in their world?

• The Ordinary World

• The Call to Adventure

• Entering the Unknown

• Supernatural Aid/ Meeting with the Mentor

Multiple Choice

In which stage does the hero experience a new world with new rules where their strength and courage are tested?

• The Ordinary World

• The Call to Adventure

• Crossing the Threshold in the Unknown

• Supernatural Aid/ Meeting with the Mentor

Multiple Choice

In which stage does the hero meet with a supernatural character who gives them wisdom or a magical object to help them be successful on their quest?

• The Ordinary World

• The Call to Adventure

• Entering the Unknown

• Meeting with the Mentor

Multiple Choice

In which stage does the hero move through a series of tests or tasks that make them stronger and prepare them for the supreme ordeal?

• Meeting the Mentor

• Tests, Allies, and Enemies

• The Supreme Ordeal

• The Call to Action

Multiple Choice

In which stage does the hero overcome their final and most challenging obstacle?

• Allies/ Helpers

• The Road of Trials

• The Ordeal

• The Magic Flight