October 24 – The Monomyth

1. October 24 – The Monomyth Agenda: • Quick-write • Notes: The Monomyth • Applying the Monomyth Take out: • Notebook • Pen/Pencil Homework: • Read through the end of page 121 • Complete journal entry #4 (90-120)

2. Quick-write • What do all of these things all have in common?

3. Our Essential Understanding: • There is only ONE STORY – even in YOUR OWN LIFE

4. The Monomyth • Joseph Campbell • The Hero with a Thousand Faces • Pub. – 1949 • Appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development • Describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as “The Hero” • Cited as inspiration for many major works of literature and film

5. The Monomyth – The Hero’s Journey Three main parts: • I – The Separation • The Hero is separated from the normal world. • II – The Initiation • The Hero gains heroic stature through trials/rites. • The true character emerges • III – The Return • The Hero can return to original state. • Main parts can overlap slightly • Each main part has a subset of events • Subset events do not necessarily have to occur “in order” • Subset events can occur more than once • As we go, try to think about examples from movies, books, myths or other stories that apply to each part

6. The Normal World • Where the hero exists before the monomyth cycle begins • Often characterized as being boring, mundane or normal

7. Separation – 1 – The Call to Adventure • Occurs in the “normal world” • Information is received that initiates the separation • May be a problem, challenge, request • Hero’s motivation could be emotional, physical, spiritual

8. Separation – 2 – Refusal/Acceptance • Refusal – Hero may initially hesitate, ignore the call, or show reluctance or fear • Acceptance – Hero accedes for internal or external reason • May realize importance, succumb to pressure, interest or responsibility

9. Separation – 3 – Supernatural Aid • Help – often unexpected – is given • Tangible (weapon, food, map, talisman, etc.) • Intangible (guidance, magic, advice, etc.) • Help often furnished by mentor figure • Hero may also be joined by other character(s)

10. Separation – 4 – Crossing the Threshold • The Hero sets out upon the journey • Crosses the “point of no return” • Often into unknown territory

11. Separation – 5 – Entering the Belly of the Whale • Hero enters the zone of danger • May begin immediately after crossing the threshold

12. Initiation – 1 – Road of Trials • The Hero faces trials and adventure • Adventures faced may grow in scale as the Hero develops • Allow confidence and capabilities to grow • Hero may be rewarded for “battles” (trials) that he faces

13. Initiation – 2 –Meeting With the Goddess • Hero may bond with powerful female figure while on the Road of Trials • Assistance (tangible or intangible) may be given

14. Initiation – 3 – Temptation • The Hero may encounter temptation, most often of the opposite gender • Offers the Hero short-term relief, gratification • Giving in to this urge would cause failure of the journey

15. Initiation – 4 – Atonement with the Father • Hero may encounter father or father figure with which there is a relationship that must be reconciled • Must win the approval of, persuade, or otherwise defeat • May be a person with authority, power, or be a god or immortal figure • May be symbolic

16. Initiation – 5 – Apotheosis • After facing trials on the road (Temptation and Atonement with the Father), the Hero transcends • Achieves higher place, understanding, knowledge, perception • Allows Hero to face difficult part of adventure • Often symbolized by change in appearance

17. Initiation – 6 – The Ultimate Boon • Eventually, the Hero achieves an ultimate goal • May not be aware of the goal until it is reached • May be gained after a difficult final “battle” (trial)

18. Return – 1 – Refusal • Hero may tarry where he gained the Ultimate Boon • Wants to remain where enlightenment/bliss was achieved • May compare it to “normal life” from which he came

19. Return – 2 – Magic Flight • Hero returns with the “treasure” gained • Can take many forms • May be travel reminiscent of the original Road of Trials

20. Return – 3 – Rescue From Without • Hero may be rescued from a final plight (major or minor) • Plight and rescue both unexpected sources

21. Return – 4 – Crossing the Return Threshold • Hero crosses to safety from his journey • Destination may or may not be point of origin • May face a challenge in this final crossing

22. Return – 5 – Master of the Two Worlds • Completion of the journey makes the Hero the master of both domestic and alien worlds • Internal and/or external • Often denoted by the ability to pass between/transcend the threshold of both worlds • Physically or otherwise

23. Return – 6 – Freedom to Live • Having conquered the “demons” (internal and/or external) the hero has earned the right to live life as they choose • Path of the hero often becomes one of wisdom • May become rulers, teachers or advisors. • May get married/ settle down… until the next time

24. Applying the Monomyth • We are going to apply the idea of the monomyth to our reading of All the Pretty Horses. • You will complete the chart on the worksheet as we continue our reading of the novel. • This will be a basis for a final project that you will complete after our reading is finished. • Work with your table partner to begin the worksheet – you will not be able to complete the entire thing today