The Hero’s Journey

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The Hero’s Journey

Watching a film, one can easily recognize plot, theme, characterization, etc., but not many realize what basic principle lies behind nearly every story conceived: the hero’s journey. This concept allows for a comprehensive, logical flow throughout a movie. Once the hero’s journey is thoroughly understood, anyone can pick out the elements in nearly every piece. The hero’s journey follows a simple outline. First the hero in question must have a disadvantaged childhood. Next the hero will find a mentor who wisely lays out his/her prophecy. Third the hero will go on a journey, either literal or figurative, to find him/herself. On this journey the hero will be discouraged and nearly quit his/her quest. Finally, the hero will fulfill the prophecy and find his/herself, realizing his/her full potential. This rubric may be easy to spot in epic action films, but if upon close inspection is found in a wide array of genres, some of which are fully surprising.

The “Star Wars” franchise is familiar to most, and may be the easiest in which to discover the hero’s journey. In “Star Wars,” we find young Luke Skywalker, a rebellious youth, living on a farm on the isolated planet of Tatooine, taken in by his aunt and uncle following the death of his mother and father. Luke grows up with dreams of flying through the stars, only dreams until his chance meeting with Ben Kenobi. Kenobi informs Luke of his real past: that his father was a Jedi knight and that Luke was destined to become great. Though Kenobi’s guidance and Luke own adventurous spirit, he finds himself pushed into an intergalactic quest to become a valiant Jedi in a galaxy controlled by the evil Empire.

Another film followin...

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...things in life are not money, fame, or even basketball, but really finding out who you are meant to be in life and following your heart. Toward the end of the film, Jamal’s full potential is seen in a public reading performed by the recluse himself. William leaves his apartment and saves Jamal’s academic integrity.

These two films come from entirely different genres, have entirely different plots, and are even based in entirely different galaxies, but the share the theme of the hero’s journey. This concept can be equally applied to nearly every book, movie, and other such works, as long as you dig under the surface and find the meaning beneath. The elements of the hero’s journey are found in both films, and with a critical eye, can be found all around us. This is the classic story of the hero; in every shape and form an author can apply it too.

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